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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of sordid
Savage and fierce, melodic and contagious, the song’s architecture suggested genre is little else than a construct while its words smartly addressed the nation’s sordid past.
—
Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
Patriotic Americans who care about the rule of law and our constitutional order ought to lament this sordid state of affairs—not just the latest twist in the long-running saga but the whole sad story.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for sordid
Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
Patriotic Americans who care about the rule of law and our constitutional order ought to lament this sordid state of affairs—not just the latest twist in the long-running saga but the whole sad story.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for sordid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sordid
Adjective
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The law specifically spells out heating problems, pest infestations and filthy conditions as among the issues that could require a court’s intervention.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
30 May 2025
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Detectives have criminally charged the owner of nearly 50 Belgian Malinois dogs that were found trapped together in a cramped, filthy Queens apartment, police said Wednesday.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
14 May 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
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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But many of those story beats feel perfunctory; the film comes to life in the nastier, grislier set pieces.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
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
Adjective
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Kudos to Bruce Springsteen for practicing his First Amendment rights to rail against the corrupt policies and immoral actions of the Trump administration.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
30 May 2025
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Independent jurors can blunt the force of immoral laws and arbitrary prosecutions by refusing to subject their neighbors to unjust laws or overtly cruel punishment.—
Mike Fox,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sordid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sordid. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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