1
2

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sordid differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sordid are abject, ignoble, and mean. While all these words mean "being below the normal standards of human decency and dignity," sordid is stronger than all of these in stressing physical or spiritual degradation and abjectness.

a sordid story of murder and revenge

Where would abject be a reasonable alternative to sordid?

While in some cases nearly identical to sordid, abject may imply degradation, debasement, or servility.

abject poverty

When might ignoble be a better fit than sordid?

The synonyms ignoble and sordid are sometimes interchangeable, but ignoble suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality of mind or spirit.

an ignoble scramble after material possessions

When can mean be used instead of sordid?

The words mean and sordid can be used in similar contexts, but mean suggests small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity.

mean and petty satire

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 But the bigger question may be what the sordid Yaccarino-MechaHitler episode has to say about the current path that the tech industry is on—both within Elon Inc. and in the industry more broadly. Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 10 July 2025 But McClain’s lawyers said he should not be made the scapegoat for whatever prosecutors think about the state’s sordid history of public corruption, noting that McClain has not held public office himself for more than 30 years. Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025 Owning up to Chavez Ravine’s sordid history would be a great step. Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025 More Than a Third of Hotels Used to Shelter Homeless People Were Out of Date on Social Services Inspections as of October 2024 New York Focus and ProPublica found numerous examples of families with children living in sordid and dangerous conditions. Spencer Norris, ProPublica, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sordid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sordid
Adjective
  • Indeed, the trio looked filthy, and one even had a red, watery eye.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
  • Sharp has long been one of New York’s filthiest comedians.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Arriving in London, Jess has a chance encounter with Felix (Will Sharpe), a broke musician, in a particularly vile pub toilet.
    Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 17 July 2025
  • The tweets, a vile departure from Elmo’s often inspiring and motivational social media cadence, were sent on July 13 and promptly taken down.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Tim Petrillo, one of the developers behind the $500 million project, donned a hard hat on a sweltering Tuesday and peered out at the dusty construction site at Northwest First Avenue, just north of Northwest Fifth Street.
    Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 14 July 2025
  • Webb images nebula To mark Webb's third year of operations, NASA shared an image the observatory gathered showcasing the thick, dusty layers of a section that's known as the Cat’s Paw Nebula.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • The restaurant violated 17 standards, including bugs inside the restaurant and dirty kitchen equipment.
    Evan Moore July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2025
  • What to look for in a quality cat fountain Filtration system Stagnant or dirty water is dangerous to pets, especially cats with a delicate immune system.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • If the condition is severe, as might happen if the bottom of the pot is full of water, remove the hibiscus, gently knock off the wet, muddy soil, rinse the roots clean, and repot with fresh potting soil in a well-draining pot.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2025
  • The muddy, wet game was played on a sloppy field but ended with an 8-0 victory for Michigan in front of a few hundred Notre Dame students.
    David Ubben, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • For example, wildfires can not only cause direct injury and damage to people and property but can also spew all sorts of nasty stuff into the air.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • Morton signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Orioles this past offseason as a starting pitcher who had established himself with 17 years of MLB experience and a nasty curveball.
    Said Bravo, CNN Money, 18 July 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
  • Basically, how others will judge you for moving on, if you’ll be seen as incompetent or immoral for quitting.
    Vicki Salemi, Boston Herald, 20 July 2025
  • With his opaque history and sources of wealth, his super-powerful friends and his immoral appetites, Epstein became the perfect avatar for our at-home Hollywood heroism.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sordid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sordid. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sordid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!