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
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
Zoe Saldaña as Anamaria Zoe Saldaña appears in the The Curse of the Black Pearl as Anamaria, a pirate who has a sordid history with Sparrow.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
When Frank asks Xavier to help another parishioner sort out her own sordid past, Xavier’s faith will be tested.
—Sara Gran, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sordid
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
Zoe Saldaña as Anamaria Zoe Saldaña appears in the The Curse of the Black Pearl as Anamaria, a pirate who has a sordid history with Sparrow.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
When Frank asks Xavier to help another parishioner sort out her own sordid past, Xavier’s faith will be tested.
—Sara Gran, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sordid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sordid
Adjective
-
At least 12 outside experts submitted testimony in what’s called the Dunsmore case, finding that San Diego jails are filthy and that workers regularly fail to follow best practices or department policies.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2025
-
Created in 2019 by Eastbound & Down's Danny McBride, the filthy HBO comedy centers around a family of corrupt, fast-talking televangelists led by John Goodman's aging and regretful Eli Gemstone.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
Twain’s early writing and private letters and diaries contain vile language and sentiments.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
9 May 2025
-
The Imperial City Sewers you’re meant to traverse while learning the basics of the game look hideous and vile.—
Jamal Michel,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Those collectibles may well hold signs of past life on that enigmatic, dusty and foreboding world.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
13 May 2025
-
Everything from the mortar to the rope has been handmade on the dusty site.—
Rachel Howard,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Airplane tray tables, seatbelt buckles and armrests are known to be among the dirtiest surfaces onboard.—
Isabelle Rodney,
CNN Money,
20 May 2025
-
Duffy, a former reality show contestant and four-term congressman, comes to the blame game with dirty hands.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
The three-year-old thoroughbred finished ahead of 18 other horses on a muddy track at Churchill Downs Racetrack on May 3 but will not be looking to repeat the feat at the Pimlico Race Course on Saturday.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
17 May 2025
-
Matches were crude and violent and played on muddy pitches.—
Pablo Maurer,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was brilliant (35 points), and the Thunder defense was nasty.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
-
But Laxe’s cadence of death is nasty and arbitrary and delightful.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Researchers also noted the chatbot engaging in other potentially disturbing—though not necessarily immoral—behavior.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
24 May 2025
-
Suggesting that being out of work is immoral, as opposed to the conditions that contribute to people’s ability to work and live, might be a more appropriate source of anxiety.—
Lauren Coulman,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sordid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sordid. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share