sordid

adjective sor·did \ ˈsȯr-dəd \

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 Shrady’s deftly manipulated bronze in Virginia regales us with something sordid.

— christopher knight, latimes.com, "What to do with Confederate monuments? Put them in museums as examples of ugly history, not civic pride," 18 Aug. 2017
But in the sordid denouement of what will surely rank as one of the most disturbing crimes in recent memory, even O.J. Simpson’s most stalwart fans may soon have to rethink their position.

— susan schindehette, PEOPLE.com, "The O.J. Nobody Knew — Read PEOPLE's July 4, 1994 Cover Story," 20 July 2017
In the meantime, here's a look at their sordid comic book history.

— graeme mcmillan, The Hollywood Reporter, "Marvel Unveils New 'Avengers: Infinity War' Villains," 15 July 2017
Wildstein's sentencing brings to an end a sordid saga that has left a cloud over Christie's administration, which is in its final months.

— CBS News, ""Bridgegate" mastermind David Wildstein sentenced, avoids prison," 12 July 2017
The tabloids offer a sordid vision of society, where the mainstream image of celebrities elides their secretly miserable lives (whether because of addiction, aging, infidelity, or bankruptcy).

— jeet heer, New Republic, "Donald Trump and the Weaponization of Gossip," 3 July 2017
The effort pits those who see the symbols as tributes to Southern heritage against others who regard them as a glorification of a sordid history of racism.

— emanuella grinberg, CNN, "What can communities do with Confederate monuments? Here are 3 options," 30 June 2017
The NRA's history with blacks is sordid from the beginning.

— dahleen glanton, chicagotribune.com, "Gun lovers need to stand up for Philando Castile," 26 June 2017
But the sordid details of the Louisville scandal apparently made an impression on the N.C.A.A.’s infractions committee, which handed down Thursday’s sanctions.

— marc tracy, New York Times, "N.C.A.A. Places Louisville on Probation and Suspends Pitino," 15 June 2017

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

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First Known Use: 1606

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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.