1
as in corrupt
having loose sexual morals
a sleazy lothario who is always on the make
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cheap
of low quality
a sleazy yellow coat that was marked down to practically nothing and not worth even that
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in flimsy
being of a material lacking in sturdiness or substance
these cheap, sleazy curtains would do a poor job of blocking those wintertime blasts of cold air
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4
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
several letters in the sleazy motel's neon "vacancy" sign had burned out
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sleazy
This spectacle, while sleazy and unsettling, was hardly a departure from the status quo.
—
Annie Levin, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
That arrangement was sleazy enough.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
In the film, McAdams plays Linda, a timid employee who is stranded on a desert island with her sleazy boss (Dylan O’Brien) and begins to resort to a more primal personality.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
The Republican candidate was no mystery, a sleazy tabloid character since the 1970s, and the warnings about what his presidency would look like — including from GOP leadership that later bent the knee to the MAGA movement — have proved remarkably prescient.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sleazy
Annie Levin, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
That arrangement was sleazy enough.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
In the film, McAdams plays Linda, a timid employee who is stranded on a desert island with her sleazy boss (Dylan O’Brien) and begins to resort to a more primal personality.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
The Republican candidate was no mystery, a sleazy tabloid character since the 1970s, and the warnings about what his presidency would look like — including from GOP leadership that later bent the knee to the MAGA movement — have proved remarkably prescient.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sleazy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleazy
Adjective
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Smuggling — sometimes by rope, sometimes with the help of corrupt jail guards — has long been a problem at the troubled federal jail, which has been plagued by violence, horrific conditions and severe staffing shortages for years.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
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No corrupt leader enriching himself and the Epstein class buddies.—
Diego Parrado,
Vanity Fair,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Marlins under this owner have no reasonable way out of this rut of building on the cheap toward a future that never gets here.—
Greg Cote
Updated March 27,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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Don't forget about the newer, more compact and much cheaper Lego Technic SLS set, only $60, also 'launches' with some clever Technic moving parts.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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To combat this, check for flimsy frames, loose hinges, or weak nose pads.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
26 Mar. 2026
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Campbell, who ordinarily would represent DiZoglio in court to compel the Legislature to comply, has refused to do so on the flimsy excuse that DiZoglio has not provided needed information.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Ross saved the Miami Open, moving it from a dilapidated Key Biscayne venue, and retrofitting Hard Rock Stadium’s grounds for it.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
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But these Brown and Black immigrants were usually segregated into dilapidated apartments in the region’s oldest housing stock.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This creates a jarring effect as the significance of her busy endeavours is sublimated by the perverted impulse to judge her physical form.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
16 Feb. 2026
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Udo Kier is the perverted master of ceremonies in this three-ring circus of deviancy from director Paul Morrissey, which takes Frankenstein’s romantic necrophilia and distills it to its glistening, taboo essence.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Serious Medical and Emotional Neglect Turner said Kaiko arrived in poor health, suffering from multiple medical issues and signs of prolonged neglect.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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The city of Plano scores restaurants on a 100-point system, with 100 considered a perfect score and 70 extremely poor.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Hilarity, hijinks, heartbreak, and hope ensue over the course of 10 frothy, fast-moving episodes.—
Sarah Rodman,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Mar. 2026
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Parmesan, finely grated (about 1 cup), and blend until combined but not yet frothy, 5–10 seconds.—
Inés Anguiano,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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When first performed at L.A. Opera a decade ago, the lavish production, co-produced with English National Opera, helped recover a neglected opera.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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His refusal to weaponize suffering is one of his most important — and most neglected— lessons.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sleazy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleazy. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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