1
as in filthy
not clean
he managed to rise above the sordid streets upon which he grew up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
Buffett has something of a sordid history with airline investments over the years after having bought their stocks heavily more than once before eventually dumping them.
—
Josh Funk,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
But its widespread adoption—including in the traditional Dutch breakfast pastry of ontbijtkoek—comes on the back of a sordid history of colonial exploitation.
—
H.m.a. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
14 May 2026
These days, revenge literature arrives most often as a sordid memoir or roman à clef in which grievances are recounted, villainy exposed, and relevant facts set forth.
—
Charlie Tyson,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
History provides a simple and sordid answer.
—
Alan M. Dershowitz,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sordid
Josh Funk,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
But its widespread adoption—including in the traditional Dutch breakfast pastry of ontbijtkoek—comes on the back of a sordid history of colonial exploitation.
—
H.m.a. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
14 May 2026
These days, revenge literature arrives most often as a sordid memoir or roman à clef in which grievances are recounted, villainy exposed, and relevant facts set forth.
—
Charlie Tyson,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
History provides a simple and sordid answer.
—
Alan M. Dershowitz,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sordid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sordid
Adjective
-
And a great bench of freelancers is making this all-American game feel dramatic, approachable, and exciting—even to filthy casuals.
-
But, the freedom loving sane people of this great country came to Karoline's defense to show support, destroy the filthy LIBS and celebrate the greatest press secretary this country has ever employed.
Adjective
-
Powerful, rich people filled the lawn to watch a violent sport that ended with a vile and racist comment.
-
That person is referring to heavyweight Josh Hokit, who is facing widespread backlash for making a vile joke about former first lady Michelle Obama after winning his match over Derrick Lewis.
Adjective
-
Let’s solve this Wordle and hit the not-so-dusty road!
-
So if your dusty old printer is starting to kick the can, consider the reliable HP Smart Tank 5101.
Adjective
-
Most notably, though, is its easy-to-clean material, which one flight attendant appreciates when up against dirty baggage claims and surprise spills.
-
Crafted with Grey Goose vodka and Carpano Dry Vermouth, the cocktail is prepared to each guest’s preference—whether dry, dirty, extra dirty, shaken or stirred—from the restaurant’s signature martini cart.
Adjective
-
The rapid spread of the disease is exacerbated by the nature of gold mining, which involves muddy pits filled with miners surrounding the town.
-
Catfish and carp, on the other hand, are true bottom feeders, hence the muddy flavor injection in their flesh.
Adjective
-
We’re used to nasty, hateful, and sometimes violent things being said about us and even about our family.
-
Tarik Skubal was nasty against the Yankees.
Adjective
-
The land, unfenced, abuts a bald blackened hillside that must be public land.
-
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.
Adjective
-
Court records show that 60-year-old Bradley Kyle Martin, of Dearborn Heights, is charged with using a computer or internet to communicate with another person to commit a crime and accosting children for immoral purposes.
-
These monsters—its antitheses—constitute that part of our nature that urges us to be sensible and strong, and that inclines us to see the life drive as trivial, weak, sentimental and immoral.
Cite this Entry
“Sordid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sordid. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
