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
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Recent Examples of sleaze
Beyond its glitz and sleaze, Bright Lights is a sobering lesson on why partying does not always soothe a troubled soul.
—
Andrew Holter, The Atlantic, 31 Dec. 2025
The guy was a sleaze, but there’s a pretty big gap between sleaziness and murderousness.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
The music sounds like a terrible Brooklyn electro indie-sleaze band opening for Crystal Castles or Yachts at Studio B, then rushing home to make sure the Tivo caught Gossip Girl.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2025
However, unlike that film's director, Claire Denis, Rollin is never afraid to indulge in camp, and occasionally outright sleaze, to juice his narrative at just the right moments.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleaze
Andrew Holter, The Atlantic, 31 Dec. 2025
The guy was a sleaze, but there’s a pretty big gap between sleaziness and murderousness.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
The music sounds like a terrible Brooklyn electro indie-sleaze band opening for Crystal Castles or Yachts at Studio B, then rushing home to make sure the Tivo caught Gossip Girl.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2025
However, unlike that film's director, Claire Denis, Rollin is never afraid to indulge in camp, and occasionally outright sleaze, to juice his narrative at just the right moments.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleaze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleaze
Noun
-
Nora Ephron for depressed perverts.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2026
-
You are being spied on by a pervert.—
Jay Ruttenberg,
New Yorker,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For something more substantial, there’s a cheese plate and tinned tuna.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
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Much of the ingredients will be sources directly from Greece, including olive oil, olives, feta cheese and grape leaves.—
Sarah Kyrcz,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Noun
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The 8%-lit waning crescent moon will sit low on the eastern horizon as dawn's glow creeps into the sky.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
12 May 2026
-
Still, tension rises when fears around trust or vulnerability creep in.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Emerson had a 290 in the clean-and-jerk and 235 in the snatch (525 total) in the 154-pound weight class.—
Alex Kushel,
Sun Sentinel,
9 May 2026
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McKenzie was even more ahead of the pack in the Traditional style, which couples each lifter’s best bench press with their clean-and-jerk mark.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Prices climb, yields drop, and the only deals left are in junk that nobody wants for good reason.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
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Colleges are failing today’s young adults — beyond grade inflation, junk courses and trading facts for ideology.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
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
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Now, these slimeballs no longer pose a threat to public safety.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
Even a rival gave kudos — kind of — to the clown.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
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Thor is now a circus clown — not even a funny one at that — relegated to being the butt of Star-Lord's unfunny jokes and the least-serious Avenger.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
6 May 2026
Noun
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Trash pickup Chris Barnett, Orion Township supervisor, said residents of his community will be allowed to place more bagged trash outside at their next Waste Management pickup day to help handle overflow rubbish from paper plates, etc.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
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From the Japanese point of view, leaving rubbish piled up in a stadium would be a bother to others.—
Stephen Wade,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sleaze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleaze. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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