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squalor

noun

Definition of squalornext
as in staining
very bad and dirty conditions The family was living in squalor. I was shocked by the squalor of their surroundings.

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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 squalor The children reportedly lived in squalor and weren’t enrolled in school. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026 Reform and Restore are no doubt relying on support from pockets of deprivation, squalor and neglect in Makerfield. — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 18 June 2026 Authorities say all of the animals were found living in squalor. — Grace Bellinghausen, Sun Sentinel, 15 June 2026 But their living situation could fairly be described as squalor. — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for squalor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squalor
  1. staining
  2. dinge
  3. dirtiness
  4. sordidness
  5. messiness
Noun
  • Bleach is genuinely good at killing mildew and lifting the biological staining that makes white grout look gray.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2026
  • To further prevent obvious staining, choose darker flooring that won't show mud and dirt as easily.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2026
Definition of staining
Noun
  • 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
Definition of dinge
Noun
  • For Damien dirtiness brought him closer to godliness, the grime evidence of his graft.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
  • That’s the dirtiness of rugs and pulling.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2026
Definition of dirtiness
Noun
  • The only other person in the 21st century who might’ve had as uncanny an ability to look beneath the sordidness and sorrow of red carpets and walks of fame to find truth and even poetry might be David Lynch.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 July 2026
  • Fennell continues to have a gift for exposing the sordidness of money and power.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of sordidness
Noun
  • This collection does not beautify quotidian messiness but shows us how love celebrates our imperfections.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • After months of further reporting, handwringing, mud-slinging and general messiness, the NBA dropped the hammer yesterday.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of messiness

Browse Nearby Words

squally
squalor
squamous
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Cite this Entry

“Squalor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squalor. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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