Synonyms of sordid

sordid

adjective

ˈsȯr-dəd 

1

as in filthy

not clean

he managed to rise above the sordid streets upon which he grew up

Synonyms & Similar Words

• filthy
• dusty
• dirty
• muddy
• blackened
• stained
• nasty
• black
• messy
• grimy
• dingy
• greasy
• grubby
• smudged
• smutty
• mucky
• soiled
• unclean
• polluted
• foul
• grungy
• begrimed
• sloppy
• chaotic
• grotty
• bedraggled
• sullied
• uncleanly
• cruddy
• draggled
• befouled
• besmirched
• contaminated
• messed
• impure
• unsanitary
• bemired
• confused
• insanitary
• tainted
• littered
• squalid
• unwashed
• cluttered
• sleazy
• slovenly
• muddled
• unsterile
• untidy
• raunchy
• disordered
• jumbled
• shabby
• uncleaned
• unkempt
• scruffy
• disheveled
• unsterilized
• rumpled
• defiled
• germy
• disarranged
• sooty
• scuzzy
• skanky
• fuliginous
• gunky
• disarrayed
• mussy
• mussed
• crocked
• collied

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unsullied
• clean
• pure
• immaculate
• spotless
• stainless
• clear
• unstained
• unsoiled
• spick-and-span
• limpid
• neat
• ultraclean
• cleanly
• orderly
• tidy
• cleaned
• cleansed
• perfect
• shiny
• groomed
• bleached
• untouched
• ordered
• bright
• combed
• wholesome
• sparkling
• whitened
• purified
• flawless
• unpolluted
• untainted
• unspotted
• unblemished
• virgin
• undefiled
• taintless

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vile
• dirty
• nasty
• immoral
• cruel
• vicious
• ignoble
• corrupt
• ignominious
• contemptible
• detestable
• despicable
• wretched
• dishonorable
• bad
• low-down
• execrable
• evil
• snide
• mean
• paltry
• base
• low-minded
• wicked
• low
• foul
• currish
• wrong
• iniquitous
• depraved
• perverted
• reprehensible
• debauched
• shameful
• dissolute
• miscreant
• debased
• degenerate
• villainous
• disgraceful
• censurable
• disreputable
• discreditable
• unscrupulous
• unprincipled
• blameworthy
• atrocious
• blamable
• unethical
• unworthy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• noble
• high
• virtuous
• lofty
• honorable
• moral
• ethical
• straight
• honest
• venerable
• upright
• righteous
• good
• scrupulous
• excellent
• just
• principled
• exemplary
• right
• proper
• high-minded
• commendable
• respectable
• decent
• reputable
• blameless
• guiltless
• seemly
• right-minded
• irreproachable
• incorruptible
• uncorrupted
• unerring

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sordid differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sordid are abject, ignoble, and mean. While all these words mean "being below the normal standards of human decency and dignity," sordid is stronger than all of these in stressing physical or spiritual degradation and abjectness.

a sordid story of murder and revenge

Where would abject be a reasonable alternative to sordid?

While in some cases nearly identical to sordid, abject may imply degradation, debasement, or servility.

abject poverty

When might ignoble be a better fit than sordid?

The synonyms ignoble and sordid are sometimes interchangeable, but ignoble suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality of mind or spirit.

an ignoble scramble after material possessions

When can mean be used instead of sordid?

The words mean and sordid can be used in similar contexts, but mean suggests small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity.

mean and petty satire

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sordid

No choice, no road, no hope— only the endless repetition of the sordid and the semi-tragic. —Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026

There’s a sordid little Whodunit stealing the show over in America. —Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 6 Feb. 2026

At the medal ceremony, the Russian compatriots exchanged cool handshakes as TV commentators recapped their sordid history. —Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 3 Feb. 2026

While many talk shows began as fitfully amusing discussions around relevant issues, some soon devolved into sordid and exploitative freak shows that encouraged verbal and physical altercations. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026