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

Schimel was accused of giving plea deals to despicable criminals. —Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 6 Apr. 2025

Hoult is coming off a trio of starring turns late last year that showcased his range, playing a cold white supremacist in Justin Kurzel’s The Order, a conflicted husband in Clint Eastwood’s Juror No. 2, and a man fighting a despicable vampire in Robert Egger’s lush Gothic drama Nosferatu. —Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025

Trump’s behavior is beyond despicable and is extremely dangerous. —Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025

For all their naïveté, Anna and Tom are not despicable. —Alice Gregory, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 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