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Definitions

sordid

[sawr-did] / ˈsɔr dɪd /
ADJECTIVE
dirty, bad, low
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disreputable nasty shameful sleazy squalid vile
WEAK
abject avaricious base black calculated corrupt covetous debauched degenerate degraded despicable dowdy filthy foul grasping grubby ignoble impure low-down mean mercenary miserable miserly poor scurvy seedy self-seeking selfish servile shabby slovenly slummy small small-minded unclean uncleanly ungenerous venal vicious wretched
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clean decent good kind nice reputable respectable
WEAK
honorable wonderful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For a growing number of online sleuths, there is a booming business in peddling outlandish answers to those and other sordid questions raised by the trove of newly released files.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

Long before his role in the Epstein case came to light, Brunel already had a sordid reputation in the fashion world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

But sordid details emerged during the legal cases, revealing a darker side.

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2025

Chu has spent a decade trying to bring accountability to immigration detention and knows this sordid industry better than any.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 2025

I know the impression I’m leaving: that the word was a bad word, sordid in nature, that I’m too embarrassed to say it out loud to him.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.