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
While many talk shows began as fitfully amusing discussions around relevant issues, some soon devolved into sordid and exploitative freak shows that encouraged verbal and physical altercations.
—
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Unbeknownst to Maisie, the carousel has a sordid history.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
The industry had weathered a storm of growing public suspicion over sordid details coming from the entertainment industry in the wake of producer William Desmond Taylor’s murder and the rape/murder trials and acquittal of comedian Fatty Arbuckle.
—Chris Yogerst, HollywoodReporter, 16 Jan. 2026
Letts’s play is a sordid, spiky creature, a two-hour descent into a pit of paranoia within the dingy walls of an Oklahoma motel room.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sordid
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Unbeknownst to Maisie, the carousel has a sordid history.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
The industry had weathered a storm of growing public suspicion over sordid details coming from the entertainment industry in the wake of producer William Desmond Taylor’s murder and the rape/murder trials and acquittal of comedian Fatty Arbuckle.
—Chris Yogerst, HollywoodReporter, 16 Jan. 2026
Letts’s play is a sordid, spiky creature, a two-hour descent into a pit of paranoia within the dingy walls of an Oklahoma motel room.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sordid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sordid
Adjective
-
Her jeans are filthy; her blonde hair hangs in loose, greasy strings; bruises speckle her thin arms, and there’s a patch of blood above her right eye.—
Outside,
Outside,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Allegations of betting on suicide Like other detainees, Ramsingh said that between cleanings, the rooms, restrooms and showers were often filthy and infested with insects.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Aerion was absolutely vile to him.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
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That’s why every encounter with a non-vile mezcal should be celebrated, and the Desolas Mezcal Reposado is decidedly not vile.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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If frozen molecules can survive within these dusty structures, they may later be released into the interstellar medium as the nebula disperses, contributing complex material to future generations of stars and planetary systems.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
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The Sombrero Galaxy was imaged to magnificent effect by the Hubble Space Telescope — most recently to mark its 35th anniversary in space — which revealed its sweeping disk-like structure and pronounced dusty lanes shining beneath its glowing galactic core.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Step into Lucy Score’s romance universe Score is goofy and humble, ready with a dirty or self-deprecating joke.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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The Twizzlers brand has introduced a new flavor of its fan-favorite Twizzlers straws that have been inspired by the dirty soda craze.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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True to its name, the Butter Melt Bronzer glides on like butter and melts seamlessly into skin, delivering a silky-smooth finish that never veers cakey, muddy, or heavy on dry skin.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
11 Mar. 2026
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During a stop on our paddle, checking out a muddy riverbank that was exposed by the drawdown, Andersen pointed out a sapling of hope.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But few teams bring a nastier one-two wallop than the Lakers, who kept the forward busy flitting back and forth between Dončić and LeBron James.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
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The other, maybe more difficult half, is making sure the stuff is nasty enough.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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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More and more people are avoiding dating or befriending those with opposing political views, and growing numbers describe those on the other side as closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent.—
Justin Callais,
Twin Cities,
5 Mar. 2026
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More and more people are avoiding dating or befriending those with opposing political views, and growing numbers describe those on the other side as closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent.—
Justin Callais,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sordid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sordid. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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