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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 Browns have scored the second-fewest points in the NFL, ahead of only the pitiful Tennessee Titans.
    Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
  • On the side of the highway, Wilson cuts a pitiful, solitary figure.
    Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Panthers’ defense was largely effective against a pathetic Jets offense, which could barely muster movement at home.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
  • And Craig Waterman, the marketing executive from the 2024 film Friendship, took Robinson into new territory with a darker and more pathetic take on the same neurotic type.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Marty Muggle-Wump is part of the clever monkey duo determined to outsmart their vile captors, perfectly voiced by Timothy Simons.
    Jane LaCroix, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The vile, racist, bigoted, and antisemitic dialogue that has been reported is deeply disturbing.
    Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • My only complaint is that the light blue stripes on the arm look printed, not stitched, which is kinda lame.
    The Athletic NHL Staff, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • The Twits are so gross and puerile and nasty in the book.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
  • New York, though, has a nasty triumvirate in Carter, Thibodeaux and Brian Burns, the last of whom is having an early career year with seven sacks.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But cattle producers say importing cheaper beef abroad could threaten domestic agriculture in the long run.
    Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Gripen fighters have the reputation of being relatively cheap and easy to maintain and arm, and able to operate in austere conditions – using roads or even dirt roads for runways.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Two days later and nearly 400 miles to the west, good Samaritans found two baby girls crying on the dirty floor of a park restroom in the working-class coastal California city of Oxnard.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Yellow or orange flames might indicate a problem with combustion or dirty burners.
    Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • When the din inside Rams Park had finally subsided, Arne Slot attempted to put a positive spin on a wretched night for Liverpool.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Yes, Baltimore’s defense is wretched, so don’t count on this being a cure-all, exactly.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contemptible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemptible. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

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