1
as in corrupt
having loose sexual morals
a sleazy lothario who is always on the make
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cheap
of low quality
a sleazy yellow coat that was marked down to practically nothing and not worth even that
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in flimsy
being of a material lacking in sturdiness or substance
these cheap, sleazy curtains would do a poor job of blocking those wintertime blasts of cold air
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4
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
several letters in the sleazy motel's neon "vacancy" sign had burned out
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sleazy
The Republican candidate was no mystery, a sleazy tabloid character since the 1970s, and the warnings about what his presidency would look like — including from GOP leadership that later bent the knee to the MAGA movement — have proved remarkably prescient.
—
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2026
Matty does this by engaging the Kingstons’ favorite tech whiz — a sleazy genius named Carl — to alter her old text-message chain with Belvin, to add a fake text where Matty gets angry with her friend for asking her to retrieve some personal effects from the office.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Every other politician is portrayed as sleazy, or lazy, or corrupt—except for Congressman Stuart, who is perfect of course.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Park oozes with an old guy’s perception of what charm should be but comes off more like a slightly sleazy Mediterranean oligarch wearing too much shiny gold jewelry.
—David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleazy
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2026
Matty does this by engaging the Kingstons’ favorite tech whiz — a sleazy genius named Carl — to alter her old text-message chain with Belvin, to add a fake text where Matty gets angry with her friend for asking her to retrieve some personal effects from the office.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Every other politician is portrayed as sleazy, or lazy, or corrupt—except for Congressman Stuart, who is perfect of course.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Park oozes with an old guy’s perception of what charm should be but comes off more like a slightly sleazy Mediterranean oligarch wearing too much shiny gold jewelry.
—David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleazy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleazy
Adjective
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Oseguera also assumed control of corrupt police officers and politicians.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Lies, corrupt leaders, poisoning and persecution of a race.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Walters was referring to fund managers’ ability to drive earnings through concrete changes within portfolio companies, such as pricing discipline, working-capital improvements and management upgrades rather than relying mainly on cheap debt to chase valuation multiples.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2026
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Inside looked like any other beauty shop—wigs in the back, buckets of cheap sunglasses and door-knocker earrings, a distinct scent formed through the combination of chemicals and natural butters.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The claims, however, appear to be flimsy at best in the eyes of Wall Street veterans.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
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Also, the higher resolution makes the Sacred Heart sets, now transplanted to Vancouver, look especially flimsy.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Such as dilapidated neighborhoods, toxic air, unkept public parks, failing infrastructure, unreliable public transportation and low wages.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
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Through the window that day, Smith-Dean saw a potential gold mine for the community, where many who passed by on Spring Avenue saw only a dilapidated structure.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This creates a jarring effect as the significance of her busy endeavours is sublimated by the perverted impulse to judge her physical form.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
16 Feb. 2026
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Udo Kier is the perverted master of ceremonies in this three-ring circus of deviancy from director Paul Morrissey, which takes Frankenstein’s romantic necrophilia and distills it to its glistening, taboo essence.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Still, the storm will provide another test for the Wu administration, which was criticized for its poor snow removal results following last month’s nor’easter.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
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The district’s poor spending practices and a broken culture long precede Allen’s leadership, according trustees and other parties.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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As for how to wear such frothy tops in real life rather than the Yorkshire Moors?—
Alice Cary,
Vogue,
24 Feb. 2026
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Though not fragrant, its frothy spring flowers attract pollinators, and some varieties offer interesting foliage.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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His refusal to weaponize suffering is one of his most important — and most neglected— lessons.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
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The department issued heavy fines and ultimately shuttered a neglected building in Denver’s uptown neighborhood last year that was owned by CBZ Management.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sleazy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleazy. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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