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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sordid
When Frank asks Xavier to help another parishioner sort out her own sordid past, Xavier’s faith will be tested.
—
Sara Gran, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
Ride the Train in Kanchanaburi Photo: Getty Images A study in contrasts, this province in western Thailand is known for both its outstanding beauty and sordid history.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2025
Too bad for those impatient to learn more sordid details and see new prosecutions: this could take a while.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2025
But the reports do not contain any of the more sordid details that Webb hasn’t hesitated to share publicly — claims that could damage her credibility in the eyes of some observers.
—Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 2 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sordid
Sara Gran, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
Ride the Train in Kanchanaburi Photo: Getty Images A study in contrasts, this province in western Thailand is known for both its outstanding beauty and sordid history.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2025
Too bad for those impatient to learn more sordid details and see new prosecutions: this could take a while.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2025
But the reports do not contain any of the more sordid details that Webb hasn’t hesitated to share publicly — claims that could damage her credibility in the eyes of some observers.
—Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 2 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sordid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sordid
Adjective
-
At least 12 outside experts submitted testimony in what’s called the Dunsmore case, finding that San Diego jails are filthy and that workers regularly fail to follow best practices or department policies.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2025
-
So The Righteous Gemstones went with the sentimental ending — or at least what counts for a sentimental ending in a series so committed to the filthiest possible turns of phrase.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
Twain’s early writing and private letters and diaries contain vile language and sentiments.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
9 May 2025
-
The Imperial City Sewers you’re meant to traverse while learning the basics of the game look hideous and vile.—
Jamal Michel,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The days of my girlhood were dusty, dirty, sooty, and sweaty.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
13 May 2025
-
Everything from the mortar to the rope has been handmade on the dusty site.—
Rachel Howard,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
They were bullied, beaten, humiliated, tortured and shot, with productive laborers crammed on top of one another in the dirty stone barracks—separately from the Jewish prisoners, whose numbers grew ever larger.—
Paul Hockenos,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 May 2025
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Coal plants are also the dirtiest fossil fuel in terms of planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions.—
Sammy Roth,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
The car’s tires were muddy and the rear window was smashed.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2025
-
Some kinds of anchors are better suited to muddy bottoms, while others excel in grassy or rocky bottoms.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
The apps have a nasty trick that fools users into the initial download, and once on a phone, the damage is done.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
-
He’s been the spirit of the Panthers’ skillfully nasty style the previous two springs.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 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
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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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Altering Medicaid in any way that decreases services, decreases funding to the states, or builds roadblocks to care is immoral and against Christian values.—
Dr. James W. Cox-Chapman,
Hartford Courant,
11 May 2025
-
Under him, juvenile justice is unjust, and the department has been spending in ways that are immoral and not proper accounting or spending of taxes.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sordid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sordid. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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