SORDID Synonyms: 192 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sordid

adjective

ˈsȯr-dəd

Definition of sordid next

as in filthy

not clean he managed to rise above the sordid streets upon which he grew up

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

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.

Recent Examples of sordid Incidentally, this offer came a year before Kennedy embarrassed Hines by being caught in a sordid cheating scandal with political reporter Olivia Nuzzi. —

Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025 The play is not for anyone offended by the c word, the f word, or other assorted sordid sundries. —

Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2025 Hegseth also promised to stop drinking if confirmed, amid sordid allegations about his history with alcohol. —

Zachary Basu, Axios, 12 Jan. 2025 Subscriber Exclusive Also: From Howie Carr, the sordid history of the Governor’s Council The tale of a local option fee on high-dollar property sales is likely far from over as debate over housing policy starts to reach a boiling point on Beacon Hill. —

Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sordid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sordid

Adjective

King wrote the letter while spending several days in solitary confinement in a dark, filthy, jail cell with no mattress in Birmingham, Alabama.

— John Blake, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
The government soldiers left behind a filthy jumble of army life: clothes, blankets, gas masks and helmets, and empty tin cans.

— Carlotta Gall, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025