seamier; seamiest
1
archaic : having the rough side of the seam showing
2
b
: degraded, sordid
the seamy side of urban life
seaminess noun

Examples of seamy in a Sentence

She was involved in a seamy corruption scandal.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That seamy swagger of Jack Nicholson as über-dirtbag Randle McMurphy in Cuckoo’s Nest could have been shot here yesterday. Matt Thompson, SPIN, 3 Feb. 2025 While the specific charges were about checks and ledgers, the underlying accusations were seamy and deeply entangled with Trump’s political rise. Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025 The specific charges in the hush money case were about checks and ledgers, but the underlying accusations were seamy and deeply entangled with Trump's political rise. Michael R. Sisak, Jennifer Peltz, Jake Offenhartz and Michelle L. Price The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 11 Jan. 2025 But the underlying accusations were seamy and deeply entangled with Trump’s political rise. Michelle L. Price, Twin Cities, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for seamy 

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of seamy was in 1605

Dictionary Entries Near seamy

Cite this Entry

“Seamy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seamy. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

seamy

adjective
seamier; seamiest
: not pleasing or presentable : sordid
the seamy side of the city
seaminess noun

More from Merriam-Webster on seamy

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