1
as in evil
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable a vile plot to murder their political enemies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vile contrast with its synonyms?

The words base and low are common synonyms of vile. While all three words mean "deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values," vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth.

a vile remark

When can base be used instead of vile?

The words base and vile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness.

base motives

When is low a more appropriate choice than vile?

The meanings of low and vile largely overlap; however, low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety.

refused to listen to such low talk

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of vile Charlie Kirk is a vile bigot, and standing with him on this issue is profoundly disturbing. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 Coming up, Republican Mike Lawler is calling Vladimir Putin a vile dictator and thug. ABC News, 23 Feb. 2025 As are the people supporting or justifying these vile acts of terrorism. Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2025 And for anyone who's forgotten just how vile Whitfield is, the next scene serves as a nasty reminder. Matt Cabral, EW.com, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vile
Adjective
  • At the time of Vallow's death, Vallow Daybell was espousing the belief that he was possessed by an evil spirit, the prosecution said.
    CBS News, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Last season, there was an episode that featured an evil streaming executive — who dressed like, kind of looked like and whose name even sounded like Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief creative officer and your boss.
    Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • His other performances included as Robert De Niro’s nasty henchman in Michael Mann’s Heat (1995); as Marlon Brando’s insane assistant in John Frankenheimer’s The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996) and as the suave crook Simon Templar in Phillip Noyce’s The Saint (1997).
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The veteran forward took a nasty fall with 3:21 left in the fourth quarter, landed hard on his tailbone, and spent minutes down on the court surrounded by teammates and coaches.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The first outcome would be a massive win for the United States, while the second would likely be far uglier.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025
  • That pollution causes an ugly brown smog to blanket the skyline on hot summer days and causes people, especially those with respiratory problems, to struggle to breathe.
    Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Firms carrying out an immoral contract in court may face other discipline.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
  • This legislation made its way through Congress back then in part because there was societal acceptance of the false belief that the Chinese were immutably immoral and threatening.
    Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The scene will portray oil workers getting in their trucks and heading to work, thus a dirty vehicle is a must.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Some sprays work for up to 24 hours after application and are suitable for the dirtiest areas, such as bathrooms.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The month leading up to their Champions League tie with Real Madrid has been absolutely hideous.
    Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The architectural vandalism was hideous and heartbreaking to watch, inhumane civic renewal by wrecking ball in the discredited vein of Robert Moses.
    Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Federal workers, migrants and transgender troops are among the groups arguing that Trump’s policies are unlawful and will cause irreversible harm if not blocked.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
  • In January, a federal appeals court declared DACA unlawful, but kept the policy in place.
    Nidia Cavazos, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • What's particularly cruel about that reality is that after years of dealing with questions about his weight, the former Duke Blue Devil star played a career-high 70 games in 2023-24.
    Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Here, Munir may be vaccinating chickens rather than grabbing them on their way to slaughter, but the work is just as thankless and cruel.
    Bartolomeo Sala, The Dial, 27 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vile. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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