Synonyms of vile

vile

adjective

ˈvī(-ə)l 

1

as in evil

not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable

a vile plot to murder their political enemies

Synonyms & Similar Words

• evil
• immoral
• unlawful
• sinful
• vicious
• dark
• bad
• wicked
• obscene
• rotten
• villainous
• cruel
• nefarious
• infamous
• offensive
• iniquitous
• corrupt
• wrong
• ugly
• unsavory
• illegal
• unethical
• unauthorized
• unrighteous
• cursed
• improper
• nasty
• dirty
• contemptible
• condemned
• despicable
• sordid
• infernal
• disreputable
• ignoble
• depraved
• prohibited
• reprehensible
• objectionable
• pernicious
• naughty
• atrocious
• noxious
• dishonest
• forbidden
• perverted
• ill
• sick
• debased
• snide
• pestilential
• unwholesome
• degenerate
• mean
• ungodly
• debauched
• dissolute
• scrofulous
• base
• unhealthy
• censurable
• fallen
• wretched
• blameworthy
• incorrect
• unclean
• miserable
• libertine
• execrable
• blamable
• evil-minded
• vulgar
• unprincipled
• indecent
• unscrupulous
• unseemly
• proscribed
• loose
• low-minded
• outlawed
• barred
• reprobate
• dishonorable
• unbecoming
• indecorous
• discouraged
• lousy
• defiling
• low
• errant
• cussed
• banned
• disallowed
• erring
• interdicted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• moral
• good
• virtuous
• honorable
• noble
• righteous
• sublime
• ethical
• decent
• legitimate
• right
• honest
• high
• legal
• upright
• lofty
• just
• permitted
• reputable
• elevated
• scrupulous
• principled
• permissible
• authorized
• endorsed
• licensed
• approved
• proper
• high-minded
• sanctioned
• correct
• decent
• clean
• allowed
• promoted
• pure
• exemplary
• supported
• white
• decorous
• seemly
• innocent
• perfect
• wholesome
• creditable
• blameless
• worthy
• commendable
• law-abiding
• encouraged
• guiltless
• inoffensive
• unobjectionable
• chaste
• immaculate
• spotless
• venerable
• irreproachable
• incorruptible
• esteemed
• unerring
• abetted
• respected
• uncorrupted
• lily-white
• squeaky-clean
• unfallen
• upstanding

2

as in nasty

not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency

a vile trick to play on someone

Synonyms & Similar Words

• nasty
• dirty
• immoral
• cruel
• vicious
• detestable
• despicable
• contemptible
• sordid
• corrupt
• ignoble
• wretched
• execrable
• dishonorable
• evil
• bad
• ignominious
• snide
• low-down
• mean
• foul
• wicked
• base
• paltry
• low-minded
• currish
• wrong
• low
• iniquitous
• reprehensible
• depraved
• perverted
• villainous
• miscreant
• debased
• degenerate
• shameful
• disgraceful
• debauched
• dissolute
• censurable
• atrocious
• blameworthy
• unprincipled
• unscrupulous
• blamable
• disreputable
• unworthy
• unethical
• discreditable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• noble
• virtuous
• honorable
• high
• lofty
• righteous
• straight
• upright
• ethical
• venerable
• moral
• good
• honest
• excellent
• just
• scrupulous
• principled
• right
• exemplary
• proper
• high-minded
• commendable
• decent
• respectable
• reputable
• blameless
• right-minded
• guiltless
• seemly
• irreproachable
• incorruptible
• unerring
• uncorrupted

3

as in ugly

unpleasant to look at

an outfit with a truly vile combination of colors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ugly
• hideous
• grotesque
• unpleasing
• disgusting
• awful
• monstrous
• unattractive
• unsightly
• unappealing
• homely
• unlovely
• horrible
• loathsome
• repulsive
• abominable
• sickening
• revolting
• unbeautiful
• uncomely
• ill-favored
• repugnant
• appalling
• unpretty
• horrid
• unhandsome
• abhorrent
• nauseating
• repellent
• dreadful
• distasteful
• gross
• nauseous
• noisome
• unbecoming
• plain
• frumpy
• unaesthetic
• unshapely
• frumpish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• beautiful
• lovely
• pretty
• attractive
• gorgeous
• handsome
• goodly
• beauteous
• stunning
• fair
• cute
• ravishing
• aesthetic
• seemly
• good-looking
• comely
• knockout
• drop-dead
• taking
• fetching
• shapely
• sightly
• bonny
• impressive
• imposing
• well-favored
• prepossessing

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

Recent Examples of vile

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

The comment sections beneath those videos were frequently vile. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 May 2026

The land of the southern hemisphere pulled away from this vile impactor, restructuring itself in the northern hemisphere. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 May 2026

John Dickinson, one of the wealthiest colonists, warned that the vile East India Company, having devastated India, would start in on America. —Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026