1
as in corrupt
having loose sexual morals
a sleazy lothario who is always on the make
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cheap
of low quality
a sleazy yellow coat that was marked down to practically nothing and not worth even that
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in flimsy
being of a material lacking in sturdiness or substance
these cheap, sleazy curtains would do a poor job of blocking those wintertime blasts of cold air
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
several letters in the sleazy motel's neon "vacancy" sign had burned out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 sleazy
But while Villa was a revolutionary and man of the peasantry, Lessing became a sleazy entertainment lawyer.
—
Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
Surrounded by a delightful cast of weirdos — with a scene-stealing, hilarious turn by Marc Maron as sleazy director Sam Sylvia — GLOW is a comedy match-up worth cheering for.
—Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Apr. 2026
What unfolds is a sleazy cat-and-mouse game of unrequited obsession set against a backdrop of vivid Wes Anderson–like interiors, leaving one to think there must be something in the water.
—Air Mail, 28 Mar. 2026
Jesus is a zhlubby failson, Mary is a flirtatious blonde housewife, Joseph is the horny stepdad who stepped up, and Judas is a sleazy con man.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sleazy
Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
Surrounded by a delightful cast of weirdos — with a scene-stealing, hilarious turn by Marc Maron as sleazy director Sam Sylvia — GLOW is a comedy match-up worth cheering for.
—Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Apr. 2026
What unfolds is a sleazy cat-and-mouse game of unrequited obsession set against a backdrop of vivid Wes Anderson–like interiors, leaving one to think there must be something in the water.
—Air Mail, 28 Mar. 2026
Jesus is a zhlubby failson, Mary is a flirtatious blonde housewife, Joseph is the horny stepdad who stepped up, and Judas is a sleazy con man.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sleazy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleazy
Adjective
-
There's a corrupt deal happening at the biggest levels among the billionaire class to increase their wealth at the expense of many people are suffering greatly right now.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 June 2026
-
The police are a corrupt institution.—
Grace Byron,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
Analyst Seth Seifman said in a note that the stock still isn’t cheap — with Kratos trading at 76 times forward earnings — but notes that investors have been awarding high-growth companies in this sector with elevated premiums.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
12 June 2026
-
While countries highlighted in a new report of summer’s top travel destinations may not come as a surprise, the data also revealed ways to get there for cheaper.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
The material isn’t flimsy, and the bottoms offer good coverage.—
Kaelin Dodge,
InStyle,
10 June 2026
-
Multiple reviewers mention the lightweight, breathable fabric that’s perfect for warm weather without feeling cheap or flimsy.—
Amanda Eyre Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
Buck Island offered to sell the dilapidated unit to Brown for $1,000, funded partially with her security deposit.—
Gretchen Morgenson,
NBC news,
10 June 2026
-
Google reviews show the Super 8 in West Haven deteriorating to poor service and dilapidated rooms and finally permanently closed.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
The gravity of the crimes was made apparent not just in the details provided in court documents but by how family members of children at the daycare reacted when the perverted duo appeared in court for their arraignments.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
6 June 2026
-
And like Warren Jeffs, who led a polygamous group in Arizona, his perverted lust for child brides would contribute to his downfall.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
The second didn’t go nearly as well for Bussi as Karlsson and Howden scored on two of the Golden Knights’ six shots in the period to tie the score at 3-3 heading into the third, the tying goal coming off a Seth Jarvis turnover and a couple of poor defensive plays by Sean Walker and K’Andre Miller.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
Heat radiates from the pages of this extraordinary novel about a poor family in rural Mississippi in the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
That would get in the way of the frothy nature the storytelling aims for.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
-
Cut into finger sandwiches and down with a cold glass of sweet tea or a frothy beer.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Underdog startups and neglected divisions tell similar stories.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2026
-
Cinematographer Guillermo Garza shoots neglected settings like fine art, embracing the grime.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sleazy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleazy. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
