Tawdriness (6)
I believe the answer is:
sleaze
'tawdriness' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for sleaze that I've seen before include "Corrupt (political?) behaviour" , "Corruption in public life (informal)" , "Tacky corruption" , "Sordid stuff, pornographic material" , "Immoral activities" .)