as in sink
a place of great vice and corruption
over the decades the once-respectable neighborhood had become an urban cesspool
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 cesspool
Social media has arguably become even more of a cesspool of hate since the Sept. 10 attack, with extremists flooding news feeds celebrating Kirk's killing and others calling for civil war.
—
Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 21 Sep. 2025
These are important questions, but are ultimately merely nibbling around the edges of the main problem, which is that Rikers Island has for decades now been a cesspool of unconstitutional conduct and rampant violence that has shocked even longtime criminal justice observers like Martin.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 July 2025
That’s close enough to a cesspool — and Tony was right in wanting no part of it.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2025
Jumping into even the prettiest and clearest rivers, lakes, creeks, and other natural bodies of water can expose you to a cesspool of unpleasant and invisible fellow swimmers—most commonly bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cesspool
Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 21 Sep. 2025
These are important questions, but are ultimately merely nibbling around the edges of the main problem, which is that Rikers Island has for decades now been a cesspool of unconstitutional conduct and rampant violence that has shocked even longtime criminal justice observers like Martin.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 July 2025
That’s close enough to a cesspool — and Tony was right in wanting no part of it.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2025
Jumping into even the prettiest and clearest rivers, lakes, creeks, and other natural bodies of water can expose you to a cesspool of unpleasant and invisible fellow swimmers—most commonly bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cesspool
Cite this Entry
“Cesspool.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cesspool. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
