contemptible

1 of 2

adjective

con·​tempt·​ible kən-ˈtem(p)-tə-bəl 

1

: worthy of contempt

a contemptible snob

contemptible bigots

2

obsolete : scornful, contemptuous

contemptibility

kən-ˌtem(p)-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

contemptibleness noun

contemptibly

kən-ˈtem(p)-tə-blē 

adverb

contemptibleness

2 of 2

noun

con·​tempt·​ible·​ness

kən-ˈtem(p)-tə-bəl-nəs

: the quality or state of being contemptible : contemptibility

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What Is the Difference Between contemptuous and contemptible?

Contemptuous and contemptible are sometimes confused with each other. This is neither surprising, as they are similar in appearance, nor is it unprecedented: the words were used interchangeably for several hundred years (from the 16^th through the 18^th century), with each one meaning both "deserving contempt" and "showing contempt." By the early 19^th century, some commentators began raising objections when the words were used synonymously, suggesting that they should be distinguished, with contemptuous meaning only "showing contempt" and contemptible only "deserving contempt."

In the following passage, for example, a would-be critic is ridiculed for using contemptible in the sense "showing contempt":

“Young man! my opinion of you is very contemptible.” “All your opinions are contemptible,” rejoined Phillip, quietly.  – Garry Avenel, Zou Mou, in The Iris, September, 1841

The distinction hinted at in this rebuke has been observed in English, by professional writers anyway, for close to 200 years.

Synonyms of contemptible

Adjective

• pitiful
• lame
• cheap
• wretched
• dirty
• disgusting
• nasty
• hateful
• mean

Choose the Right Synonym for contemptible

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 contemptible in a Sentence

Adjective

I've never met a more selfish, contemptible person.

the contemptible thieves who stole the Christmas gifts intended for needy children

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Predictions: Jamie Bell, Charlie Hunnam, Oscar Isaac, Matthew Macfadyen, Matthew Rhys A loaded category is headlined by Carey Mulligan’s fierce, contemptible, often hilarious performance as Oscar Isaac’s fed-up wife in Beef. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 May 2026

The habits that sustain this treaty and this climate are precisely those that radicals on all sides find contemptible: compromise, procedural fidelity, the refusal to go for broke. —Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026

Most people in the anglosphere don’t follow this region, and those who do get their opinions from a small number of people with a contemptible worldview. —Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2026

For a man whose alleged bone spurs kept him out of the Vietnam draft to muse about receiving an award reserved for the bravest of the brave of the American armed forces is contemptible. —Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, "unworthy, despicable," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "despicable, worthless," borrowed from Latin contemptibilis (Medieval Latin also, "contemptuous"), from contemptus, past participle of contemnere "to look down on, show no respect for, despise" + -ibilis -ible — more at contemn

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

contemptible

adjective

con·​tempt·​ible kən-ˈtem(p)-tə-bəl 

: deserving contempt

a contemptible lie

contemptibly

-blē 

adverb