sleaze-ridden
Saturated with corruption
Sleaze-ridden describes something thoroughly pervaded by sleaze—corruption, sordidness, or seedy moral character.
The term typically applies to institutions, industries, or places where unethical behavior has become endemic: a sleaze-ridden tabloid industry, the sleaze-ridden world of local politics.
The suffix -ridden suggests being overrun or afflicted, as with disease.
Dishonest abuse of power
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
graft · lobbyists · backroom deals · cover-up · embezzlement · nepotism · dirty money · patronage
Zone of sex commerce
- seedyRundown and disreputable
- dive barRundown, cheap drinking spot
- strip clubVenue featuring disrobing dancers
- back alleyPassage behind buildings
flophouse · peep show · grimy · rundown · vice · underworld · pimps · hustlers
Sensationalist newspaper format
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- casting couchExploitation in entertainment hiring
- scandal-plaguedBeset by public controversies
- paparazziAggressive celebrity photographers
gossip · sensationalism · exposé · trashy · lurid · sordid · titillation · shock value
Intentional criminal trickery
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
- predatoryExploiting the vulnerable
- unethicalViolating moral standards
- swindlersDeceivers who steal through trickery
Ponzi scheme · exploitation · profiteering · deceptive · dishonest · underhanded · con artists · fly-by-night
corruption
Dishonest abuse of power
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
kickbacks · graft · lobbyists · backroom deals · cover-up · embezzlement · nepotism · dirty money · patronage · slush fund
red-light district
Zone of sex commerce
- seedyRundown and disreputable
- dive barRundown, cheap drinking spot
- strip clubVenue featuring disrobing dancers
back alley · flophouse · peep show · grimy · rundown · vice · underworld · pimps · hustlers · dingy
tabloid
Sensationalist newspaper format
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- casting couchExploitation in entertainment hiring
- scandal-plaguedBeset by public controversies
paparazzi · gossip · sensationalism · exposé · trashy · lurid · sordid · titillation · shock value · voyeuristic
fraud
Intentional criminal trickery
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
- predatoryExploiting the vulnerable
- unethicalViolating moral standards
swindlers · Ponzi scheme · exploitation · profiteering · deceptive · dishonest · underhanded · con artists · fly-by-night · rip-off
sleaze-riddenupstanding
Morally upright, honest
virtuous · honorable · ethical · principled · incorruptible
sleaze-riddenpristine
Pure and untouched
pure · untainted · unsullied · immaculate · spotless
sleaze-riddenrespectable
Worthy of regard
reputable · esteemed · distinguished · dignified · admirable