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

This despicable and violent behavior will not be tolerated at home or abroad, and the FBI, working with our partners, will bring him to face justice for his dangerous actions. —Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025

In the most despicable clips, Agartha and Vril have become stand-ins for bigotry. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2025

And the political theater that has taken place of simply ignoring the problem can only be summarized by the word despicable. —/ Cbs News, CBS News, 25 May 2025

This is a despicable act of hatred, of antisemitism, which has claimed the lives of two young employees of the Israeli embassy. —Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin despicabilis, from Latin despicari to despise

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for despicable

• explicable
• predicable

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