contemptible

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

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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

• cheap
• cruddy
• deplorable
• despicable
• dirty
• grubby
• lame
• lousy
• mean
• nasty
• paltry
• pitiable
• pitiful
• ratty
• scabby
• scummy
• scurvy
• sneaking
• sorry
• wretched

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

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

At the time, some of LeBron’s critics saw this as contemptible. —Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025

Civil-liberties organizations have defended neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan on the basis that, unless there is free speech for the most contemptible members of society, there cannot be free speech for all. —Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2025

Despite his more contemptible tendencies of the past decade, Chappelle is a tremendously gifted stand-up at heart, and these sprawling monologues are always exciting. —Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 19 Jan. 2025

Fiona Shaw is so perfectly contemptible throughout those scenes on the sailboat, rendering Angelica so completely self-absorbed and so cruel, that her likely death feels like an immediate relief. —Caroline Framke, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

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