sleaze factor
Measure of shadiness
Sleaze factor refers to the degree of corruption, dishonesty, or moral seediness associated with a person, organization, or situation.
The term emerged in American political journalism during the 1980s to characterize ethical lapses in government: The administration's sleaze factor kept growing with each new scandal.
It implies that shadiness can be measured or compared.
Corrupt payment for influence
- griftSwindle or petty fraud
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- payolaBribes for airplay
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
nepotism · embezzlement · malfeasance · venality · skulduggery · underhanded · backroom deals · palm-greasing
Disposition toward falsehood
- duplicityDeliberate misleading behavior
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- swindleDeception for financial gain
- con artistProfessional fraud perpetrator
charlatan · hustler · snake oil · double-dealing · manipulation · exploitation · scheming · underhanded
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
cronyism · nepotism · embezzlement · malfeasance · venality · skulduggery · underhanded · backroom deals · palm-greasing · quid pro quo
dishonesty
Disposition toward falsehood
- duplicityDeliberate misleading behavior
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- swindleDeception for financial gain
con artist · charlatan · hustler · snake oil · double-dealing · manipulation · exploitation · scheming · underhanded · two-faced
tabloid
Sensationalist newspaper format
notoriety · smear · tarnish · disrepute · dishonor · stigma · mudslinging · rumor · innuendo · allegation
sordid
Morally foul or base
disreputable · sketchy · unsavory · lowlife · scummy · dodgy · back-alley · red-light · dive bar · fleabag
sleaze factorintegrity
Moral soundness and consistency
honor · moral rectitude · ethical standards · probity · uprightness
sleaze factorcredibility
Quality inspiring trust
respectability · good standing · clean record · good name · honor
sleaze, sleazy, sleaziness, sleazily, sleazeball, sleazebag, factor, factors, factorial