1
as in filthy
not clean
he managed to rise above the sordid streets upon which he grew up
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sordid
Savage and fierce, melodic and contagious, the song’s architecture suggested genre is little else than a construct while its words smartly addressed the nation’s sordid past.
—
Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
Patriotic Americans who care about the rule of law and our constitutional order ought to lament this sordid state of affairs—not just the latest twist in the long-running saga but the whole sad story.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
In that respect, the Trump administration’s mounting ideological control over medicine represents not a historical rupture but rather a continuation of sordid legacies.
—Eric Reinhart, Scientific American, 1 May 2025
Based on a true story, the series chronicles a tragic and sordid tale and offers Pompeo the chance to play the villain.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sordid
Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
Patriotic Americans who care about the rule of law and our constitutional order ought to lament this sordid state of affairs—not just the latest twist in the long-running saga but the whole sad story.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
In that respect, the Trump administration’s mounting ideological control over medicine represents not a historical rupture but rather a continuation of sordid legacies.
—Eric Reinhart, Scientific American, 1 May 2025
Based on a true story, the series chronicles a tragic and sordid tale and offers Pompeo the chance to play the villain.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sordid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sordid
Adjective
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The law specifically spells out heating problems, pest infestations and filthy conditions as among the issues that could require a court’s intervention.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
30 May 2025
-
Detectives have criminally charged the owner of nearly 50 Belgian Malinois dogs that were found trapped together in a cramped, filthy Queens apartment, police said Wednesday.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Today's extradition is a giant step forward in holding the defendant accountable for his unspeakably reprehensible and vile efforts to spread fear, chaos, and hate.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 May 2025
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Finally, the mint julep is a vile almost undrinkable beverage.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
If soil clumps fall apart between your fingers or the texture is dusty, the soil is too dry and more water is needed.—
Heather Zidack,
Hartford Courant,
7 June 2025
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Resilience carried a rover with a shovel to gather lunar dirt as well as a Swedish artist's toy-size red house for placement on the moon's dusty surface.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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The effort is big business with organized, managed, paid people doing the dirty work.—
Carolyn Rosenblatt,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
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Washing Machine Cleaner Your clothes aren’t the only things that get dirty in the laundry room.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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On my last trip to Crans-Montana, Switzerland, having a bag that could be easily cleaned was crucial after hiking, running, and cycling in the muddy woods.—
Michelle Tchea,
Travel + Leisure,
10 June 2025
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My feet sink into the muddy ground, wet soaking through my leather boots and sweat pooling under my arms and behind my knees.—
Erica Stern
June 9,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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Well, as referenced above, the United States was coming out of a nasty recession tied to the crisis in the mortgage market.—
Ken Roberts,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Depending on a team to string together hits — or even contact — to score multiple runs in an inning against pitchers with nasty stuff is a hard way to win.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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There are no glamorous furnishings — just a French window, its blackened panes suggesting the dark of night.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Oct. 2022
Adjective
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Kudos to Bruce Springsteen for practicing his First Amendment rights to rail against the corrupt policies and immoral actions of the Trump administration.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
30 May 2025
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Independent jurors can blunt the force of immoral laws and arbitrary prosecutions by refusing to subject their neighbors to unjust laws or overtly cruel punishment.—
Mike Fox,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sordid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sordid. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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