noun
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sleaziness
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dishonest, disreputable, or immoral behaviour, especially of public officials or employees
political sleaze
Etymology
Origin of sleaze
First recorded in 1950–55; back formation from sleazy
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
MMA is the bastard child of illegal street fights and martial arts, which has always made for a strange blend of freak-show sleaze and a culture of respect.
From Slate ● Jun. 14, 2026
Top American newscasters, including Chris Cuomo, did their part to keep perpetuating the sleaze.
From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2025
The clothes are no longer made in L.A., but curiously, the indie sleaze billboard campaign has returned to the city.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2025
And so far, the familiar patina of hired-goon griminess and comical sleaze is unmistakable.
From Slate ● Nov. 26, 2024
I always knew ReelTok was sleazy, but this is a whole new level of sleaze.
From "Linked" by Gordon Korman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
