sordid

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "sordid" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is tasteless, sordid, or contemptible. For example: "The sordid scheme quickly unraveled once the authorities got involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Again, my first instinct is that they must have been rubbernecking, the sordid allegations having made HRH a rather grim sort of draw, or at the very least not as ferociously dull and pointless as the rest of the apres-ski programme.

The Guardian - Opinion

In 1903, revelations about Poltpalingada's fate sparked a public inquiry that revealed sordid details about the illicit trade in body parts (skeletons £10 apiece) that flourished in Ramsay Smith's morgue.

The Guardian

Unable to lie, she spilled the beans, busting the whole sordid scheme wide open.

The Guardian - Opinion

djhurley said: If you're talking essential reading for LA, it has to be City of Quartz: it tells the full gritty, sordid story from the early days up through the 1990s.

The Guardian - Books

Scarcely a day goes by without another apology for past failures, another gimmicky new policy, another sordid attempt to grab headlines.

The Guardian - Opinion

Henry James, with a mixture of envy and distaste, noted that he "fixes a hard eye on some spot of human life, usually some dreary, ugly, shabby, sordid one, takes up the particle, and squeezes it either till it grimaces or bleeds".

The Guardian - Books

There she meets a kindly but sinister catering manager (Bob Hoskins) and the elements are in place for a sordid crime.

The Guardian

Pretending to be an important cleric, in reality he was on bail for sordid crimes: as an accessory to his ex-wife's murder and for multiple sexual assaults on women, committed while posing as a "spiritual healer".

The Guardian

It's a pretty sordid world, Fifa".

The Guardian

He abstained from voting, but did not stop members of his 100-odd faction from backing the prime minister.No one comes out of the sordid affair looking good, least of all the main sponsor of the no-confidence motion, the Liberal Democratic Party LDPP).

The Economist

The Alta California, a local paper, reported that "The whole country…resounds to the sordid cry of gold!

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sordid", ensure that the context clearly supports the negative moral connotation. Overuse or misuse can weaken the impact of the word.

Common error

Avoid using "sordid" simply to describe something unpleasant or dirty. The word carries a strong moral judgment, so ensure the situation involves ethical degradation, not just distasteful conditions.

Linguistic Context

The word "sordid" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something as morally degrading, base, or repulsive. Ludwig highlights its use in various contexts, always carrying a negative connotation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sordid" is a versatile adjective used to describe situations or actions that are morally degrading or repulsive. As Ludwig underlines, it's frequently found in news and formal contexts, carrying a strong negative connotation. When employing this term, ensure the context justifies its powerful implication of moral corruption. While alternatives like "reprehensible" or "disgusting" exist, "sordid" uniquely combines unpleasantness with ethical wrongdoing. Common errors involve using it for merely distasteful situations, rather than those involving genuine moral failings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

morally reprehensible

Emphasizes the moral unacceptability of the situation.

utterly disgusting

Focuses on the repulsive nature of the matter.

deeply degraded

Highlights the decline in moral or ethical standards.

shameful and corrupt

Combines the elements of disgrace and dishonesty.

base and ignoble

Stresses the lack of honor and dignity.

tawdry and unpleasant

Points out the cheap and disagreeable qualities.

filthy and immoral

Highlights the impurity and lack of ethics.

sleazy and disreputable

Focuses on the seedy and untrustworthy nature.

wretched and scandalous

Emphasizes the miserable and publicly offensive aspects.

unethical and depraved

Highlights the lack of moral principles and corruption.

FAQs

How can I use "sordid" in a sentence?

Use "sordid" to describe something morally degrading or base. For example, "The "sordid affair" was exposed in the press".

What words can I use instead of "sordid"?

Alternatives to "sordid" include "reprehensible", "disgusting", or "degraded", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "sordid" and "sleazy"?

"Sordid" implies moral degradation, while "sleazy" suggests a cheap, disreputable, or immoral character or quality. A sleazy business might engage in sordid practices.

Is it appropriate to use "sordid" in formal writing?

Yes, "sordid" is appropriate in formal writing when describing situations that are both unpleasant and morally reprehensible. Ensure the context warrants the strong negative connotation.