Word
sleaze
US/ˈsɫiz/
UK/slˈiːz/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. dishonest or immoral behaviour, especially by politicians or business people who use power in a dirty way.
n. corrupt, dishonest or sexually immoral behaviour or atmosphere, especially linked to politics, business or the media.
Examples
“Voters are tired of sleaze in politics.”
“The newspaper exposed sleaze at city hall after officials took free holidays from builders.”
“The campaign promised to clean up the sleaze that had settled over the council like damp, with backroom deals and quiet favours shaping every planning decision.”
Examples
simple
“Voters are tired of sleaze in politics.”
contextual
“The newspaper exposed sleaze at city hall after officials took free holidays from builders.”
complex
“The campaign promised to clean up the sleaze that had settled over the council like damp, with backroom deals and quiet favours shaping every planning decision.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “sleaze” in context.
Verb
01. clean up sleaze
“He vowed to clean up sleaze and restore public trust.”
verb + prep + noun
02. embroiled in sleaze
“The minister became embroiled in sleaze over party donations.”
verb + prep + noun
03. expose sleaze
“Brave journalists helped expose sleaze at city hall.”
verb + noun
04. mired in sleaze
“The government is mired in sleaze after the bribery claims.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
05. corporate sleaze
“The documentary exposes corporate sleaze in the banking industry.”
adj + noun
06. political sleaze
“Voters say they are tired of political sleaze and broken promises.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. allegation of sleaze
“A fresh allegation of sleaze hit the headlines yesterday.”
noun + prep + noun
08. culture of sleaze
“Critics say there is a culture of sleaze in parliament.”
noun + prep + noun
09. clean up sleaze in politics
“Voters want a leader who will clean up sleaze in politics.”
10. expose sleaze and corruption
“The inquiry promised to expose sleaze and corruption at the top.”
11. mired in sleaze and scandal
“The party is now mired in sleaze and scandal before the election.”
12. row over political sleaze
“The latest row over political sleaze dominated the news all week.”
Etymology
Back-formation from sleazy, originally used to describe the thinness and low quality of cloth.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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