sordid

adjective sor·did \ ˈsȯr-dəd \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: sordid in a Sentence

Definition of sordid

1 : marked by baseness or grossness : vile

sordid motives

2 a : dirty, filthy

b : wretched, squalid

3 : meanly avaricious : covetous

4 : of a dull or muddy color

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sordidly

adverb

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sordidness

noun

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Examples of sordid in a Sentence

And Vermes's story is also in part an international thriller, especially with the high-level goings-on around the Scrolls. The full sordid tale of spite, scholarly selfishness, and undisguised anti-Semitism, which kept access to the Dead Sea texts restricted for decades to a tiny cartel, unwinds in his pages. —Paula Fredriksen, New Republic, 15 Oct. 2001
Another reporter working to verify the book's charges ended up unmasking author James Hatfield's sordid past, revealing how little the publisher knew about its author … —Jennifer Greenstein, Brill's Content, February 2000
In fact, audiences now have become so blasé about accounts of celebrities' sordid personal lives that some stars are turning potential publicity nightmares into confessional coups. —Stephen Rebello, Vibe, May 1999
He shared the sordid details of his past.
he managed to rise above the sordid streets upon which he grew up

Recent Examples of sordid from the Web

But the more sordid details of Hamilton’s death came out when Jenkins gave a jailhouse interview Wednesday.

— matthew martinez, star-telegram, "Ex-con was on cocaine, PCP when ‘voices’ told him to kill his 79-year-old mom, Texas cops say," 12 July 2018
USA TODAY Sports Had the sordid details not emerged, a casual observer would never guess that Jerry Richardson was relinquishing ownership of the Carolina Panthers in disgrace.

— nate davis, USA TODAY, "Carolina Panthers sale becomes official, but Jerry Richardson offers no apology," 9 July 2018
Over the last several months, and throughout the campaign, the GTTF horror show unfolded with the sordid details of cop corruption, and some of the cops involved in the robbery and fraud schemes were sentenced just this month.

— dan rodricks, baltimoresun.com, "Amid epic police corruption, Mosby eludes blame for surge in violence," 27 June 2018
The selection of OUTVETS’ Bryan Bishop would seem to signal the end of a sad and sordid history that at one point reached all the way to the Supreme Court.

— nestor ramos, BostonGlobe.com, "Finally, a parade for all Southie to love. But what took so long?," 14 July 2018
His death — and the sordid revelations that followed — stunned Hollywood, his fans and his family.

— john d'anna, azcentral, "'Hogan's Heroes' star Bob Crane was murdered 40 years ago. Why does it still fascinate us?," 29 June 2018
While some of the story’s plot elements are sordid and unsavory, most of the violence occurs off-camera; Ramsay is more interested in the aftereffects of brutality, though even her grisliest tableaux have a kind of serrated elegance.

— stephanie zacharek, Time, "You Were Never Really Here Is a Skillfully Crafted Thriller," 12 Apr. 2018
Hear the dish on the sordid and scandalous past of downtown and the historic Maple Park neighborhoods.

— elaine rewolinski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Fall and winter festivals, fairs and other events in Wisconsin," 13 Oct. 2017
In fact, the unremarkable and sordid fact of divorce powers Cusk’s entire autofictional project.

— jordan larson, The Cut, "Rachel Cusk’s Rules for Living," 25 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sordid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sordid

Latin sordidus, from sordes dirt — more at swart

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1606

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

sordid Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of sordid

mean, ignoble, abject, sordid mean being below the normal standards of human decency and dignity. mean suggests small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity.