1
as in filthy
not clean
he managed to rise above the sordid streets upon which he grew up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vile
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
a sordid affair involving bribery and corruption in high places
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sordid
The outcome of this whole sordid saga is TBD, in other words, as unsatisfying as that might seem.
—
Sam Amick, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
No choice, no road, no hope— only the endless repetition of the sordid and the semi-tragic.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
There’s a sordid little Whodunit stealing the show over in America.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 6 Feb. 2026
At the medal ceremony, the Russian compatriots exchanged cool handshakes as TV commentators recapped their sordid history.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sordid
Sam Amick, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
No choice, no road, no hope— only the endless repetition of the sordid and the semi-tragic.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
There’s a sordid little Whodunit stealing the show over in America.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 6 Feb. 2026
At the medal ceremony, the Russian compatriots exchanged cool handshakes as TV commentators recapped their sordid history.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sordid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sordid
Adjective
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Food that needed to be trashed for age or temperature abuse, malodorous air and filthy food containers were among the 33 violations an inspector found at a popular Miami seafood restaurant.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The girl from Santo Domingo’s bajo mundo made her name rapping gleefully filthy dembow in space-punk regalia.—
E.R. Pulgar,
Pitchfork,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Fans, some of them little kids parroting what their parents were saying, called him vile names.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
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His Max is both vile and charming, and the result is undeniably magnetic.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In 2020, stargazers flocked to dark sky locations to view the cosmic traveler Neowise, a visible comet then 64 million miles from Earth, with a dusty tail extending more than a million miles.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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The dusty chocolate coating is bitter and unpleasant, and there isn’t enough salt to offset it.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Prior to that time, a conservative who dared toss the dirty indictment at his or her opponent would face disapproval from all directions, and, of course, condemnation from the legacy media.—
Bob Ehrlich,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Apr. 2026
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Knicks fans have grown accustomed to Hart doing the dirty work throughout the past four postseasons, but this is the first time first-year Knicks head coach Mike Brown has gotten to deploy the do-it-all guard’s versatility in the playoffs.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Homes, garages and sheds could also be seen surrounded by several feet of muddy, brown river and lake water.—
Sarah Brumfield,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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The peduncle extends into sandy or muddy sediment and serves as an anchor, secured by a single large polyp.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The duo made up for the absence of Wembanyama, who did not clear concussion protocol after a nasty fall knocked him out early from a Game 2 loss.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Lomu did not fit the typical profile Mike Vrabel seeks in linemen, players with a nasty streak and fierce play demeanor.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The land, unfenced, abuts a bald blackened hillside that must be public land.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
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In its time open, fueled by fans of its blackened mahi and buttery lobster rolls, owner Mike Smith has expanded his footprint, moving into a larger stall in the popular food hall — which has allowed for a menu expansion, as well.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Dec. 2022
Adjective
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And never mind that this is simply wrong, almost to the point of being immoral.—
The Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
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To do so is to be tacitly complicit in what these companies know to be wrong, unethical and immoral.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sordid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sordid. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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