sleaze

American  

[sleez] / sliz /

noun

Slang.

1. a contemptible or vulgar person.

2. a shabby or slovenly person.

3. a sleazy quality, character, or atmosphere; shoddiness; vulgarity.

4. sleazy behavior, content, appearance, or the like.

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sleaze British  

/ sliːz /

noun

1. sleaziness

2. dishonest, disreputable, or immoral behaviour, especially of public officials or employees

   political sleaze

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Etymology

Origin of sleaze

First recorded in 1950–55; back formation from sleazy

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sleaze

But he resigned as MP on July 8 amid a probe by the parliamentary sleaze watchdog into his finances.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

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

It later garnered the unofficial title of indie sleaze, just in time to resonate across a new thing called social media.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2025

I always knew ReelTok was sleazy, but this is a whole new level of sleaze.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

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