sordid

[ sawr-did ]

adjective

1. morally ignoble or base; vile:

   sordid methods.

   Synonyms: depraved, degraded

   Antonyms: honorable

2. meanly selfish, self-seeking, or mercenary.

   Synonyms: stingy, close, tight, avaricious

   Antonyms: generous

3. dirty or filthy.

   Synonyms: foul, unclean

   Antonyms: clean

4. squalid; wretchedly poor and run-down:

   sordid housing.

sordid

/ ˈsɔːdɪd /

adjective

1. dirty, foul, or squalid
2. degraded; vile; base

   a sordid affair

3. selfish and grasping

   sordid avarice

Derived Forms

• ˈsordidness, noun
• ˈsordidly, adverb

Other Words From

• sordid·ly adverb
• sordid·ness noun
• un·sordid adjective
• un·sordid·ly adverb
• un·sordid·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sordid¹

1590–1600; from Latin sordidus, equivalent to sord(ēs) “dirt” + -idus -id ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of sordid¹

C16: from Latin sordidus, from sordēre to be dirty

Synonym Study

See mean ².

Example Sentences

But the sordid case to emerge from the “Friends” star’s death shows there are many people in the chain of blame.

From Los Angeles Times

Critics delighted in the hypocrisy of a family values conservative cheating on his wife in such a sordid way, but did not stop to ponder what it must have been like to actually work for this guy.

From Slate

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ children have issued a statement supporting their embattled father, saying that they “stand united” as the music mogul remains behind bars and faces a growing raft of sordid allegations.

From Los Angeles Times

The only silver lining I’ve found in this sordid mess was my text message exchange with Anthony Rendon, the Assembly speaker emeritus from Lakewood who’s termed out at the end of the year.

From Los Angeles Times

But there is some sordid history here: The Lunada Bay Boys surf clique has harassed outsiders for decades by throwing rocks, cutting leashes and blocking beach access.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disreputable
• nasty
• shameful
• sleazy
• squalid
• vile