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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sordid differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sordid are abject, ignoble, and mean. While all these words mean "being below the normal standards of human decency and dignity," sordid is stronger than all of these in stressing physical or spiritual degradation and abjectness.

a sordid story of murder and revenge

Where would abject be a reasonable alternative to sordid?

While in some cases nearly identical to sordid, abject may imply degradation, debasement, or servility.

abject poverty

When might ignoble be a better fit than sordid?

The synonyms ignoble and sordid are sometimes interchangeable, but ignoble suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality of mind or spirit.

an ignoble scramble after material possessions

When can mean be used instead of sordid?

The words mean and sordid can be used in similar contexts, but mean suggests small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity.

mean and petty satire

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 sordid An unlicensed casino grows up to be a Baptist college, one that doesn’t shy away from its sordid past, as Christ himself never shied away from a sinner. Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2025 This sordid saga is a rogue boomerang. Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2025 The American people deserve real answers on this sordid saga. Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025 In fact, there is a long history of sordid attempts by authoritarian governments to suppress negative economic statistics. Tom Saler, jsonline.com, 12 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sordid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sordid
Adjective
  • On the other end, Ja’Marr Chase is coming off an absolutely filthy touchdown grab last Sunday.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • For collaborating with British officers while on parole, he was transferred to solitary confinement in a filthy cell.
    Stacy Schiff, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Marty Muggle-Wump is part of the clever monkey duo determined to outsmart their vile captors, perfectly voiced by Timothy Simons.
    Jane LaCroix, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The vile, racist, bigoted, and antisemitic dialogue that has been reported is deeply disturbing.
    Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Just past the cattle-ranching town of Bridgeport in northern California, near the border of Nevada, this deserted mining community is frozen in time along its dusty desert road.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The fan grates in the walk-in cooler were dusty, and the walk-in freezer evaporator lacked part covers.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Two days later and nearly 400 miles to the west, good Samaritans found two baby girls crying on the dirty floor of a park restroom in the working-class coastal California city of Oxnard.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Yellow or orange flames might indicate a problem with combustion or dirty burners.
    Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Normal gasoline is clean, while bad gas often has a darker, muddier appearance.
    Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Crews worked Thursday to fix muddy areas and Saturday’s races ran on time.
    Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Twits are so gross and puerile and nasty in the book.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
  • New York, though, has a nasty triumvirate in Carter, Thibodeaux and Brian Burns, the last of whom is having an early career year with seven sacks.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The land, unfenced, abuts a bald blackened hillside that must be public land.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
  • 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
  • It was considered immoral to lie and the whole point of writing things down back then was to increase morality and improve society, so there really is no didactic history of forgery.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Unlike previous seasons, Dorothy never makes immoral choices.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sordid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sordid. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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