sleaze

noun

ˈslēz How to pronounce sleaze (audio)
Definition of sleazenext
1
as in pervert
a person of low moral character some sleaze will try to make a buck off of this tragedy

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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

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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 In the last few years, a slew of secondhand trends have come and gone, from the Y2K renaissance, to an Indie sleaze’s revival (which never quite took off), to the recent burst of 1990s minimalism à la Calvin Klein and Prada. — Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 30 July 2026 In the first half of the album, Dean explores unstable characters—bearing some resemblance, perhaps, to their indie-sleaze peers—with both second-hand embarrassment and fascination. — Cassidy Sollazzo, Pitchfork, 13 July 2026 Rodrigo’s other beloved trends, like vintage mod and indie sleaze, are also on the rise on the site. — Chelsey Sanchez, CNN Money, 25 June 2026 Like it or not, the mess of indie sleaze is back. — Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sleaze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleaze
  1. pervert
  2. jerk
  3. cheese
  4. creep
  5. clown
  6. junk
  7. slimeball
  8. dog
Noun
  • Hansen, who left NBC in 2013 but remains a leader in the pervert-ambushing space, has spoken about having considered a sting operation against Jeffrey Epstein in 2015.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026
  • This blatant fealty over objectivity perverts the process by choosing personal loyalists instead of independent public servants.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of pervert
Noun
  • That roller coaster of flavor and tenderness comes from dry-aging the steaks for 30 to 40 days in rum, and a marinade that involves both jerk spice and Onwuachi’s mother’s Creole green seasoning, a paste of herbs, aromatics and peppers.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • This book includes nothing from Elain’s perspective; hopefully, the next book will prioritize her and possibly offer some magical explanation for why the rest of the Night Court has been such jerks to one another in this novel.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of jerk
Noun
  • Top it with your favorite gravy or pan sauce, and eat it alongside sides like mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or mac and cheese.
    — Natalia Vela, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Fold it into pasta sauce, risotto, mac and cheese, soup or stew.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of cheese
Noun
  • There’s some glanceable information, but there’s absolutely no smartwatch creep here.
    — Victoria Song, The Verge, 26 Oct. 2026
  • As summer wraps up and fall creeps in, the sharks return south.
    — Asia London Palomba, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of creep
Noun
  • That’s not to jinx the master clown who’s currently doddering around in Argan’s shoes on Broadway.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In several descriptions of these amateur events, including some of his own, Hemingway sounds less like a matador than a rodeo clown.
    — Stephen Bates, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of clown
Noun
  • In-store events also offer shoppers the chance to gather and make something by hand—from personalized ornaments to holiday junk journals.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Such small pieces of junk are also impossible to track and therefore avoid.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of junk
Noun
  • Democrats want this slimeball as their 2028 presidential nominee.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
  • After spending a decade and a half in the brains of a meth kingpin and a slimeball attorney, Gilligan wanted his next protagonist to be a force for good.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Definition of slimeball
Noun
  • After contracting the plague, he was banished to a cave, where a dog brought him bread and healed his wounds by licking them.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Anyone seeking to adopt a dog or cat can fill out the adoption form on their website.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of dog

Browse Nearby Words

slays
sleaze
sleazebag
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Cite this Entry

“Sleaze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleaze. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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