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
as in dustiness
the state or quality of being dirty
the sordidness of the neighborhood betrayed a general lack of self-respect
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
Adjective
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sordid
Adjective
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After being fired from SNL, Silverman scored a part playing a misunderstood filthy comedy writer on The Larry Sanders Show, Shandling’s classic send-up of the talk-show game.—
Stephen Rodrick,
Rolling Stone,
18 May 2025
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Who doesn’t rinse out (and ideally wash) a filthy blender filled with milky stuff?—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Finally, the mint julep is a vile almost undrinkable beverage.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
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Along with receiving vulgar comments in person and people taking her picture on campus, the 18-year-old has received vile and sexist messages after her phone number was posted online.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Flying by the active asteroid could show exactly what processes are creating the dusty tails streaming from the object and might reveal possibilities scientists haven’t even considered, Kareta said.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
28 May 2025
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The dry, dusty air can weaken or block hurricane formation.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Martin Kove as John Kreese Martin Kove played John Kreese, Johnny's karate mentor, who encourages his students to play dirty and harass Daniel.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
1 June 2025
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The infant was scheduled to be cremated, according to the release, but the body was accidentally taken to Shreveport with a load of dirty linens.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 May 2025
Noun
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An earnest, has-a-costume-for-everything kind of guy, Daub is allergic to the greige and the dinge.—
Sandra Upson,
Wired,
18 Jan. 2021
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Dinges said the two crewmembers whose sleep remained steady -- even in the absence of conventional daylight -- were those who kept to a strict schedule and found other ways to control their biological clocks.—
Michael Nedelman,
CNN,
1 June 2017
Adjective
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So Far The game’s two trailers poke fun at many Florida-isms with insane characters like the dual hammer-wielding woman, a sunburned man watering his lawn in a speedo, and spring breakers and locals partying heavily by posh pools and muddy monster truck rallies.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
26 May 2025
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The ports had to invent themselves in the first place, out of muddy marshes and shallows, to become the present-day enterprises doing billions of dollars of business and compete and partner with the massive Asian container ports across the Pacific.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 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
Cite this Entry
“Sordid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sordid. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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