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 Michael Kracker, the chair of the Erie County Republican Committee, posted the image on X, formerly Twitter, describing it as vile. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 This utterly vile, unfair, and false suggestion has emotionally devasted Moth, who has fought so hard against the insidious condition of Corticobasal Syndrome. Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 9 July 2025 For some, however, the misfortune of others prompts them to unleash the most vile and abhorrent of screeds. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 8 July 2025 But here’s the hard truth: the First Amendment protects vile, hateful speech, not just popular opinions. Bob Shaw, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for vile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vile
Adjective
  • As Wednesday processes this, the evil one-eyed crow shows up and flies off with her evidence in its beak.
    Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
  • An avatar for good and an embodiment of evil sit face-to-face, locked in an eternal clash of wills.
    Judy Berman, Time, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Whereas the Star Wars sequels woefully misused the actor's talents, this movie puts them center stage, playing one of the teen hoodlums who join forces with their victim to fight off nasty, otherworldly invaders.
    Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Things could be reversed if prompt actions are taken to get vaccination rates back up again before the different nasty microbes can spread too far in the U.S. population.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In the ugliest defeat of a season belatedly compiling them, the New York Mets blew an early 6-0 lead Wednesday to fall to the Atlanta Braves 11-6.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The Navy must address the ugly fact that, despite all the security America can provide, a diverse array of enemies, rivals and criminals can shut the Panama Canal down at virtually any time.
    Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Rudy flames out on his first day, though, and ends up working for a shady lawyer named Bruiser (Lana Parrilla) and her gleefully immoral paralegal Deck (P.J. Byrne).
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 12 Aug. 2025
  • And that may be a good thing for humanity: For humans to thrive in this new era, immoral corporate executives and world leaders alike need to be replaced by AI, Gawdat advised.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Beyond discomfort and potential allergic reactions, a dirty mattress can also affect the quality of your sleep itself.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Inspection reports revealed problems with mold, water leaks, dirty equipment and rooms, meat debris stuck on walls and equipment, various bugs, and, at one point, puddles of blood on the floor.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The last two decades spent without a Devil Wears Prada sequel started to feel a little bit like enduring a 20-year hideous skirt convention.
    EW.com, EW.com, 28 July 2025
  • Friday’s opening hours were hideous as the sellers from Thursday finished.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 27 July 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, advocates say those who are not in shelter are being pushed farther and farther away from services in an attempt to escape unlawful camping citations.
    Keely Doll, The Courier-Journal, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Drake Solomon accuses his former employer of disability discrimination and an unlawful severance offer.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • That is a particularly egregious example of how the Trump Administration has been gratuitously cruel to the Sudanese.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Stacy, Tim’s wife, also died of pancreatic cancer five months later in February of 2024, a cruel hand for a family that for years had gone above and beyond in their efforts to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vile. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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