squalor

noun

Definition of squalornext
as in staining
very bad and dirty conditions The family was living in squalor. I was shocked by the squalor of their surroundings.

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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 squalor But their living situation could fairly be described as squalor. — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 26 May 2026 Reform and Restore are no doubt relying on support from pockets of deprivation, squalor and neglect in Makerfield. — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 18 June 2026 After its seemingly benign opening, the movie captures the appalling conditions under which the inmates are kept, with unblinking scenes of bullying, force feeding, strip searches and squalor. — Chloe Veltman, NPR, 16 Feb. 2026 Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund's film feels like a good novel, with art, crime, love, and squalor all intersecting in a cohesive story that manages to astonish. — Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for squalor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squalor
  1. staining
  2. dinge
  3. dirtiness
  4. sordidness
  5. messiness
Noun
  • However, if the staining is heavy or set-in, use 1/4 cup of powder per gallon of water.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
  • To further prevent obvious staining, choose darker flooring that won't show mud and dirt as easily.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2026
Definition of staining
Noun
  • An earnest, has-a-costume-for-everything kind of guy, Daub is allergic to the greige and the dinge.
    — Sandra Upson, Wired, 18 Jan. 2021
  • Dinges said the two crewmembers whose sleep remained steady -- even in the absence of conventional daylight -- were those who kept to a strict schedule and found other ways to control their biological clocks.
    — Michael Nedelman, CNN, 1 June 2017
Definition of dinge
Noun
  • That’s the dirtiness of rugs and pulling.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2026
  • For a young team learning to stick up for each other, Mangiapane brings a needed dirtiness to the Hawks.
    — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of dirtiness
Noun
  • Fennell continues to have a gift for exposing the sordidness of money and power.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Neither Eliot nor Jules suspected anything, and the ease of the deception added to its pleasing sordidness.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of sordidness
Noun
  • Leave some messiness in your garden and leave the leaves, as decaying leaves are great habitat for fireflies.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Either way, Angela’s slip is definitely showing in terms of behind-the-scenes messiness (seriously, enough is enough with the cheating stories!
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of messiness

Browse Nearby Words

squally
squalor
squamous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Squalor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squalor. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on squalor

Nglish: Translation of squalor for Spanish Speakers

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