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shoddy

shoddy

Adjective

comp: shoddiersup: shoddiest

This term carries a strong negative connotation of negligence and cheapness. It describes a failure of craftsmanship or professional standards, suggesting that the person responsible intentionally cut corners to save time or money. While it can describe physical objects like clothing or construction, it is equally applicable to abstract processes like legal arguments or police work.

Compared to words like sloppy, which implies a lack of organization or tidiness, shoddy specifically emphasizes the poor quality of the final result or the lack of structural integrity. It suggests a systemic failure in quality control rather than a simple mistake.

Meanings

Adjectiveshoddy

Badly made or done; lacking quality, care, or precision.

The contractor used shoddy materials to finish the house quickly.

Adjectiveshoddy

Poorly executed or lacking in integrity, especially regarding a piece of work or a process.

The police investigation was criticized as shoddy and incomplete.

Examples

This cheap umbrella is so shoddy that it broke during the first rainstorm.

I cannot believe they did such a shoddy job on the repairs.

The company was sued for providing shoddy equipment to the workers.

Business

Stop doing such shoddy work and start paying attention to the details.

Office

The detective suspected the crime scene had been tampered with in a shoddy attempt to mislead them.

Detective

It was a shoddy piece of craftsmanship that fell apart almost immediately.

Their research was based on shoddy data and lacked any real scientific rigor.

School Life

I am tired of these shoddy excuses for why the project is late.

Office

The old shed was built with shoddy planks of wood and leaned to one side.

Related Words

inferior poor slipshod flimsy substandard sloppy crude high-quality superior meticulous durable well-made refined craftsmanship workmanship defect cheap negligence

Last Updated: May 2026•Report an Error