1
2
as in bastard
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
a real sleaze who is constantly mooching off friends, and friends of friends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cheese
that which is of low quality or worth
the TV networks wouldn't be airing such sleaze if the public wasn't watching it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sleaze
Everything appears to be breaking down and/or covered in a patina of sleaze.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 Aug. 2025
In their place, messy buns, indie sleaze layering and a cigarette hanging from the lip à la 2000s-era Kate Moss signal an aesthetic marked by attitude over appearance.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
The second season hits Aug. 21, and a new Comic-Con trailer gave us a look at the show's humor, insanity and, yes, even some emotion – all set to a lot of catchy sleaze metal.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 July 2025
Twin Shadow One of the indie sleaze era’s final heartthrobs, synth pop crooner Twin Shadow was a rising star as the 2010s took shape.
—Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleaze
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 Aug. 2025
In their place, messy buns, indie sleaze layering and a cigarette hanging from the lip à la 2000s-era Kate Moss signal an aesthetic marked by attitude over appearance.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
The second season hits Aug. 21, and a new Comic-Con trailer gave us a look at the show's humor, insanity and, yes, even some emotion – all set to a lot of catchy sleaze metal.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 July 2025
Twin Shadow One of the indie sleaze era’s final heartthrobs, synth pop crooner Twin Shadow was a rising star as the 2010s took shape.
—Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleaze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleaze
Noun
-
Boiled down to a thoughtless pervert by the public, Six became one.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
21 Aug. 2025
-
What follows is a floor-by-floor descent into madness as Bobby battles bloodthirsty perverts, demonic flash mobs, and hallucinogenic suburban nightmares, all while trying to figure out if he’s meant to be the hero… or just the last guy standing.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
In a 350°F oven, bake the cheese for about 6 minutes, or until golden.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Oct. 2025
-
However, unlike beer or cheese, where microbes are intentionally introduced and controlled, fermentation in cocoa beans is a spontaneous process and largely uncontrolled.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
No wandering, no project creep.—
Neil Senturia,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The drawstring detailing along the bottom ensures no cold air creeps in, while the roomy fit allows for plenty of layering.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Stop Sales sent the raw chicken, cut cow foot and jerk sauce into the garbage.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Because even in a world of monsters, ghouls, and greedy jerks, the good guys still prevail.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Tedesco's father grew up on the north end of Detroit in a home without heat, across from a railroad and junk yard.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
14 Oct. 2025
-
While in 2019 about 13,700 objects (including space junk) zoomed around the planet in low Earth orbit (LEO), at altitudes below 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers), that number has since risen to 24,185 objects in 2025, an increase of 76%, according to the study.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Now, these slimeballs no longer pose a threat to public safety.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
18 July 2025
-
Indeed, one of the new creatures slithering around Britain are grotesque, bloated slimeballs that suck up worms from the earth and are easily killed with a bow and arrow.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
Former Des Plaines officer Mike Albrecht recalled to NBC Chicago that when police were assigned to surveil Gacy after Piest's disappearance, the part-time clown would try to pal around with officers and invite them into his house.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The girls are just as down to clown, coming up with funny drunk poses and faces.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This was due to the incredible amount of rubbish that had been left to pile up inside.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
-
This is absolute rubbish, calculated to pour gasoline on the growing divide between conservatives and progressives.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sleaze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleaze. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share