despicable

adjective

de·​spi·​ca·​ble di-ˈspi-kə-bəl How to pronounce despicable (audio) ˈde-(ˌ)spi- How to pronounce despicable (audio)
: deserving to be despised : so worthless or obnoxious as to rouse moral indignation
despicable behavior
despicableness noun
despicably
di-ˈspi-kə-blē How to pronounce despicable (audio)
ˈde-(ˌ)spi-
adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for despicable

contemptible, despicable, pitiable, sorry, scurvy mean arousing or deserving scorn.

contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values.

a contemptible liar

despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation.

a despicable crime

pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity.

a pitiable attempt at tragedy

sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness.

this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car

scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.

a scurvy crew of hangers-on

Examples of despicable in a Sentence

She is a despicable traitor. even within the prison population, pedophiles are regarded as particularly despicable
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For all their naïveté, Anna and Tom are not despicable. Alice Gregory, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025 JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater The bullying of Zelenskyy The bullying by President Trump and Vice President JD Vance against President Zelenskyy is despicable. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025 The actor plays despicable almost too well, with greasy smiles and quick wit and anger. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025 Some segments of the Democratic coalition would find Piker to be edgy, or crass, or even despicable. Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for despicable

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin despicabilis, from Latin despicari to despise

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of despicable was in 1553

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Despicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/despicable. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

despicable

adjective
de·​spi·​ca·​ble di-ˈspik-ə-bəl How to pronounce despicable (audio) ˈdes-(ˌ)pik- How to pronounce despicable (audio)
: deserving to be despised
a despicable traitor
despicableness noun
despicably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on despicable

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