sleaze

noun

ˈslēz How to pronounce sleaze (audio)
 also  ˈslāz
1
: sleazy quality, appearance, or behavior
also : sleazy material
2
: a sleazy person

Examples of sleaze in a Sentence

some sleaze will try to make a buck off of this tragedy a real sleaze who is constantly mooching off friends, and friends of friends
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Then there’s Trish’s Aunt Carol (Anastacia McCleskey), who is mayoral campaign manager for Raymond Demarest (Erich Bergen), a sleaze who gloms onto Betty’s popularity once her identity is revealed. Frank Rizzo, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025 My biggest qualm with indie sleaze in 2025 is…the lack of sleaze. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2025 Maybe that’s what indie sleaze is all about: getting a redo with more money and better taste! Christian Allaire, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2025 People are always threatening the return of indie sleaze, but nothing fits my understanding of the concept more than cheekily trying on someone else’s fedora at a carpeted house party. Kinsey Jasnoch, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sleaze

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from sleazy

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sleaze was in 1948

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sleaze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleaze. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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