1
as in filthy
not clean
he managed to rise above the sordid streets upon which he grew up
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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
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Recent Examples of sordid
The rumor mill also reports that Jamie Carter is a Lothario whose sordid reputation has kept him from being promoted.
—
Sarah Wendell, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
San Diego has a sordid history of underfunding its pension system.
—Chris Brewster, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Ignoring the content of the sordid posts — some of which topped 10 million views each — Portnoy instead took to X and Facebook with a message to Taylor Swift.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
Incidentally, this offer came a year before Kennedy embarrassed Hines by being caught in a sordid cheating scandal with political reporter Olivia Nuzzi.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sordid
Sarah Wendell, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
San Diego has a sordid history of underfunding its pension system.
—Chris Brewster, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Ignoring the content of the sordid posts — some of which topped 10 million views each — Portnoy instead took to X and Facebook with a message to Taylor Swift.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
Incidentally, this offer came a year before Kennedy embarrassed Hines by being caught in a sordid cheating scandal with political reporter Olivia Nuzzi.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sordid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sordid
Adjective
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Impacted national park and forest employees say fewer workers will lead to longer lines, filthy bathrooms and unsafe hiking and camping conditions at America's precious public lands.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC News,
24 Feb. 2025
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Between sweat, body oils, dust, dirt, hair, and grime, yoga mats, weights, and treadmills can get pretty filthy.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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As are the people supporting or justifying these vile acts of terrorism.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Feb. 2025
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And for anyone who's forgotten just how vile Whitfield is, the next scene serves as a nasty reminder.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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At the ruins of Palisades Presbyterian Church, Park stood on dusty ground and pointed to a spot in the rubble.—
Jason DeRose,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2025
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The dusty blue cabinets and traditional veined marble bring the perfect amount of old money class, while wooden elements, like beams, shelves, and a dining table, warm up the room.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Every Look from the 2025 Oscars Red Carpet By Vogue Based on Court of Honor, William P. Wood’s 1991 legal thriller, this Turner Network Television original movie finds Tom Selleck playing a municipal judge who pitches in to help with a government sting operation focused on nailing a dirty judge.—
Nell Beram,
Vogue,
8 Mar. 2025
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More likely, a veteran like Hill or Ford or any number of others — guys who have played a lot and know how to get the dirty work done — could fit.—
Parker Gabriel,
The Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The machinery has previously saved elephants from mud pits, rescued dogs from rivers and even removed camels out of muddy swamps.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
7 Mar. 2025
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The Ukrainians have a name for this muddy season: bezdorizhzhya.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Poles needs to find difference-makers, nasty offensive linemen, game-wrecking defensive linemen, ravenous pass rushers … again, the Bears have a lot of needs.—
Jon Greenberg,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, Stacey woke up with a nasty hangover from the night prior.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
25 Feb. 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
Adjective
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Under Taliban rule, morality laws are strictly enforced, and activities considered immoral or against Islamic principles—such as pornography, adultery, or LGBTQ+ content—are harshly punished.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
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Some view his proposal to take over Gaza as outlandish or immoral, and are no fans of Israel’s right-wing government.—
Katie Glueck,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sordid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sordid. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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