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Synonym Chooser

How is the word contemptible different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of contemptible are despicable, pitiable, scurvy, and sorry. While all these words mean "arousing or deserving scorn," contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values.

a contemptible liar

When is despicable a more appropriate choice than contemptible?

In some situations, the words despicable and contemptible are roughly equivalent. However, despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation.

a despicable crime

When would pitiable be a good substitute for contemptible?

While in some cases nearly identical to contemptible, pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity.

a pitiable attempt at tragedy

How are the words scurvy and despicable related as synonyms of contemptible?

Scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.

a scurvy crew of hangers-on

When might sorry be a better fit than contemptible?

The synonyms sorry and contemptible are sometimes interchangeable, but sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness.

this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car

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 contemptible 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 Be open-minded and recognize that even a campaign opponent — even the contemptible Trump — can occasionally be onto something worthwhile. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2024 Most Europeans find Donald Trump alien and contemptible and a man unsuited for the U.S. presidency. David Goodart, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017 See All Example Sentences for contemptible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemptible
Adjective
  • The pitiful screaming of surviving family members can be heard.
    Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • As del Toro sees it, Frankenstein’s pitiful creation has been cursed with life, cannot be killed (even bullets don’t stop him) and must face the same existential crisis that confronts us all.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The end of that era came slowly, through the pathetic collapse of Syria and Lebanon as functioning states, and then quickly, when Israel began touching Hezbollah in unexpected places.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Want the poop on this pathetic history?
    Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The lingering effects of an incident so vile occurring within Burning man’s sweet bubble are bound to affect people for a long time.
    Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
  • This vile, heartless remark is completely unacceptable—especially from someone entrusted with our children.
    Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Another main issue is that the power grind itself now being the endgame is no longer a good motivator to play, nor is the Tier system with 3s not much different than 4s or 5s, and all past weapons being somewhat lame now outside of that system entirely.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Paine proposed a lump sum payment of £15 (£2,306 in 2025) to everyone reaching the age of twenty-one and a £10 (£1,537 in 2025) annual pension for the blind and lame, as well as for those fifty and older.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • One said bump is a particularly nasty, literal wig-snatching fight between Vida and Chi-Chi.
    Jen Juneau, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
  • In a nutshell, people are easily irritated and inclined to get caught up in nasty power struggles because they’re entrenched in their own views.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The efficiency and immediacy of space medicine may well influence healthcare innovation far beyond orbit, inspiring systems that are faster, cheaper, and more accessible.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But because the signals are so faint, they can be drowned out by cheap jammers or replaced by counterfeit ones.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The gentle, fragrance-free formula leaves even the dirtiest of clothes spotless.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Ahead of Lipa’s arrival the team was busy setting up trays of extra dirty martinis, her preferred drink.
    Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Nobody under 6 feet had climbed the highest mountain in American sports — winning the biggest game in the biggest league from the most important and glamorous position — and Wilson was one wretched play away from doing it twice.
    Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Soldiers stationed in the area remarked on the wretched smell of decomposition well into 1917, a year after the battle ended.
    Michael Jerome Plunkett September 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contemptible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemptible. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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