1
a
: morally despicable or abhorrent
nothing is so vile as intellectual dishonesty
b
: physically repulsive : foul
a vile slum
3
: tending to degrade
vile employments
4
: disgustingly or utterly bad : obnoxious, contemptible
vile weather
had a vile temper
vileness
noun
vile·ness
plural -es
1
: the quality or state of being vile
2
: an instance of vileness
3
: something vile
addressed a final vileness at the cabdriver—
D. C. Loughlin
D. C. LoughlinExamples of vile in a Sentence
Adjective
a vile and cowardly act
What is that vile odor?
His comments were positively vile.
She has a vile temper.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachel Del Guidice, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
Over time, Christine’s love for Raoul deepens, the Phantom becomes more destructive and vile, and the trio comes together for one final battle, forcing her into a critical decision that brings the story to a close.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Maddie Scott reposted vile comments from one user in particular that threatened not only her and her husband, but also their newborn son.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
The abrupt shift into a more dramatic finale assumes an emotional connection to characters who may not be as outrageously vile as Duncan or Carl but who haven’t escaped the show’s jaundiced eye either.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for vile
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
While Washington drags its feet, kids across the nation are being exposed to vile, pornographic images and ads with no meaningful safeguards to prevent it.
—Rachel Del Guidice, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
Over time, Christine’s love for Raoul deepens, the Phantom becomes more destructive and vile, and the trio comes together for one final battle, forcing her into a critical decision that brings the story to a close.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Maddie Scott reposted vile comments from one user in particular that threatened not only her and her husband, but also their newborn son.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
The abrupt shift into a more dramatic finale assumes an emotional connection to characters who may not be as outrageously vile as Duncan or Carl but who haven’t escaped the show’s jaundiced eye either.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for vile
Cite this Entry
“Vile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vile. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vile
adjective1
a
: morally bad
vile deeds
b
: physically ugly
vile living quarters
2
: of little worth
3
: very or completely bad
a vile temper
vile weather
vileness
noun
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