1
as in pitiful
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
even within the prison population, pedophiles are regarded as particularly despicable
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vile
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
the cad's despicable behavior toward women
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pathetic
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)
a despicable attempt at making a movie comedy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despicable
But Abbott, about well-meaning teachers and the kids in their charge, is aimed at families, while Sunny is an adults-only show about some of the most selfish and despicable characters in sitcom history.
—
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2025
Prophecy deepens the audience’s understanding of why these women crave absolute power despite its dangers, and their despicable methods to attain it.
—Emma Stefansky, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2024
Even Martha Washington bore in on the Federalist side, saying that Jefferson was despicable, the most despicable mankind of all.
—NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024
Mangione allegedly took a human life, which is despicable.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for despicable 
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2025
Prophecy deepens the audience’s understanding of why these women crave absolute power despite its dangers, and their despicable methods to attain it.
—Emma Stefansky, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2024
Even Martha Washington bore in on the Federalist side, saying that Jefferson was despicable, the most despicable mankind of all.
—NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024
Mangione allegedly took a human life, which is despicable.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for despicable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despicable
Adjective
-
Who knew that banning books, paying teachers pitiful salaries and threatening them with jail if they were caught with salacious book titles would be the holy grail of student success?—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2025
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Who knew that banning books, paying teachers pitiful salaries and threatening them with jail if they were caught with salacious book titles would be the holy grail of student success.—
Letters to the Editor,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This is due to Emilia Pérez lead Karla Sofía Gascón’s highly offensive and frankly vile tweets unearthed from several years back, which first emerged late last week.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
7 Feb. 2025
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The verdict: Its flavor was nothing short of despicably vile, which made Orly’s nail-biting polish both a gift and a curse along my journey to end my bad habit.—
Jennifer Hussein,
Allure,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
In a bravura theatrical performance, Hawke makes the genius truly pathetic.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Blonsky imbues the lead character of Tracy Turnblad, who could be a pathetic figure in lesser hands, with enough vitality to make the whole film feel fresh, even close to two decades after its release.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.—
Kevin Fisher-Paulson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 June 2021
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My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.—
Tim Neville,
Outside Online,
23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
-
Eagles edge rusher Josh Sweat had the splashiest individual stat line with 2.5 sacks, but a crew of nasty defensive tackles wrought devastation versus the run and the pass.—
Tim Graham,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
-
What follows is a twisted game of house where familiar familial relationships crumble and new ones take root like nasty black weeds.—
M.L. Rio,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Possibly chatting with his new security detail., which reportedly is a sad reality.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Feb. 2025
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The sad truth is many of us saw this last year and knew nothing was going to change.—
Scott Dochterman,
The Athletic,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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For example, new builds are cheaper than existing homes in Austin, Texas, where builders have cranked out more (relatively) affordable inventory.—
Brianna Crane,
Axios,
13 Feb. 2025
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Also, when compared to active mutual funds, with an average fee of 1.02%, active ETFs are relatively cheaper.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Even though the Hamas charter directly calls for the murder of all Jews, all people must speak out against the immoral proposal to force an entire population into exile.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
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The Mann Act criminalizes transporting people across state lines for immoral purposes.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
12 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near despicable
Cite this Entry
“Despicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despicable. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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