despicable

adjective

de·​spi·​ca·​ble di-ˈspi-kə-bəl  ˈde-(ˌ)spi- 

: deserving to be despised : so worthless or obnoxious as to rouse moral indignation

despicable behavior

despicableness noun

despicably

di-ˈspi-kə-blē 

ˈde-(ˌ)spi-

adverb

Synonyms

• cheap
• contemptible
• cruddy
• deplorable
• dirty
• grubby
• lame
• lousy
• mean
• nasty
• paltry
• pitiable
• pitiful
• ratty
• scabby
• scummy
• scurvy
• sneaking
• sorry
• wretched

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

The mighty Roosevelt Johnson pulls a dual role as the exasperated ghost of Pap and the despicable Uncle Rev. —Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 25 Oct. 2024

Ahead of the events depicted in season seven, our young heroes, the students of Class 1-A, have taken to the streets, battling the despicable villains out to take advantage of a country in crisis. —David Opie, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2024

While very much a sharply compelling crime drama with electrifying action sequences, the film is also unafraid to consider how and why people are swayed to such despicable causes and draws a clear line to why these ideologies are still with us today. —Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2024

Strong, who won an Emmy for his portrayal of eldest boy Kendall Roy on Succession, has a gift for humanizing the most corrupt and despicable among us. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin despicabilis, from Latin despicari to despise

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

despicable

adjective

de·​spi·​ca·​ble di-ˈspik-ə-bəl  ˈdes-(ˌ)pik- 

: deserving to be despised

a despicable traitor

despicableness noun

despicably

-blē 

adverb