sleazemonger
Dealer in filth
A sleazemonger is someone who deals in sleaze—whether producing, spreading, or profiting from sordid, trashy, or morally questionable content.
The term typically targets tabloid journalists, gossip columnists, or entertainment figures who traffic in scandal and prurience: The sleazemongers had a field day with the senator's affair.
Like other -monger compounds (warmonger, fearmonger), it carries strong disapproval.
Rundown and disreputable
- sordidMorally foul or base
- squalidExtremely dirty and neglected
- dingyDiscolored from grime
- grimyCoated in stubborn dirt
back-alley · red-light · disreputable · shady · unsavory · lowlife · underbelly · skeevy
Corrupt payment for influence
- kickbackIllegal payment for services
- graftIllicit political gain
- payolaBribes for airplay
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
racketeering · extortion · under-the-table · nepotism · cronyism · malfeasance · profiteering · venal
Sensationalist newspaper format
- exposéInvestigative journalism piece
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- dirtLoose dry earth
smear · mudslinging · innuendo · defamation · muckraking · sensationalism · compromising · lurid
Morally corrupt, perverse
- lecherousShowing excessive sexual desire
- licentiousSexually unrestrained behavior
- lasciviousOvertly sexual in manner
- lewdObscenely sexual
perverted · degenerate · dissolute · debauched · shameless · indecent · obscene · smutty
seedy
Rundown and disreputable
grimy · back-alley · red-light · disreputable · shady · unsavory · lowlife · underbelly · skeevy · sketchy
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
embezzlement · racketeering · extortion · under-the-table · nepotism · cronyism · malfeasance · profiteering · venal · illicit
tabloid
Sensationalist newspaper format
- exposéInvestigative journalism piece
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
dirt · smear · mudslinging · innuendo · defamation · muckraking · sensationalism · compromising · lurid · salacious
depraved
Morally corrupt, perverse
- lecherousShowing excessive sexual desire
- licentiousSexually unrestrained behavior
- lasciviousOvertly sexual in manner
lewd · perverted · degenerate · dissolute · debauched · shameless · indecent · obscene · smutty · prurient
con-artist
Professional fraud perpetrator
- fraudsterCriminal deceiver for gain
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- swindlerPerson who deceives for money
huckster · grifter · scammer · hustler · snake-oil · bamboozle · hoodwink · dupe · deceive · mislead
predatory
Exploiting the vulnerable
- manipulativeSkilled at controlling others
- coerciveUsing pressure to compel
- victimizeHarm someone deliberately
groom · abuse · swindle · fleece · con · scam · hustle · racket · scheme · grift
sleazemongerstraight shooter
Forthright, blunt person
straight arrow · honest broker · saint · man of honor · do-gooder
sleazemongerpillar of the community
Respected local leader
dignitary · gentleman · gentlewoman · pillar of society · role model
sleazy, whoremonger, sleaze, warmonger, sleazebag, monger, fishmonger, gossipmonger, ironmonger