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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

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
  • This was to help end the puppy mill industry, where dogs are bred en masse, leading them to be born and raised in filthy and neglected conditions.
    Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 12 Feb. 2025
  • The boys all came home, filthy and with unbrushed teeth.
    Marla Jo Fisher, Orange County Register, 5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s a reserved spot in hell for the s*** stains pursuing this vile campaign to erase trans people.
    Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Kanye was tweeting vile antisemitism nonstop since last week.
    James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Outside the dusty settlement of Bearii, amid an otherwise barren landscape, a green oasis has emerged.
    Natalie Hoberman, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
  • The museum has a 1956 McCall’s Givenchy pattern for a dusty rose organza dress which Audrey Hepburn was photographed wearing during a night out in Las Vegas with Frank Sinatra, alongside the one Austine-Rademaker made for herself using the pattern.
    Booth Moore, WWD, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Surrounded by plenty of enemies, political and otherwise, the husband and wife have no choice but to get their hands dirty in order to save their son.
    Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Evans recommends carving out some time to complete tasks like returning dirty dishes or mugs from elsewhere in the house to the sink.
    Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Hansen stripped off her knee pads, helmet, elbow pads, cave pack and muddy boots — after finishing her qualifications to lead cave tours at the national monument — and began to cry.
    Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Evidence of bygone civilizations has been steadily deposited on the river’s muddy bottom for modern archaeologists to mine.
    Alexander Nazaryan, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • What follows is a twisted game of house where familiar familial relationships crumble and new ones take root like nasty black weeds.
    M.L. Rio, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Eagles edge rusher Josh Sweat had the splashiest individual stat line with 2.5 sacks, but a crew of nasty defensive tackles wrought devastation versus the run and the pass.
    Tim Graham, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 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
  • 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
  • Even though the Hamas charter directly calls for the murder of all Jews, all people must speak out against the immoral proposal to force an entire population into exile.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The Mann Act criminalizes transporting people across state lines for immoral purposes.
    John Annese, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sordid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sordid. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

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