1
as in pitiful
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
the contemptible thieves who stole the Christmas gifts intended for needy children
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pathetic
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)
a contemptible attempt at science fiction by someone with no understanding of the genre
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in vile
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
the contemptible behavior of the students who took part in the hazing
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contemptible
Most people in the anglosphere don’t follow this region, and those who do get their opinions from a small number of people with a contemptible worldview.
—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Apr. 2026
For a man whose alleged bone spurs kept him out of the Vietnam draft to muse about receiving an award reserved for the bravest of the brave of the American armed forces is contemptible.
—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2026
Your death was preventable, unjust, tragic, and contemptible; utterly contemptible.
—
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
The death of Pope Francis, sadly, has not escaped the attention of these truly contemptible criminals.
—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemptible
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Apr. 2026
For a man whose alleged bone spurs kept him out of the Vietnam draft to muse about receiving an award reserved for the bravest of the brave of the American armed forces is contemptible.
—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2026
Your death was preventable, unjust, tragic, and contemptible; utterly contemptible.
—
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
The death of Pope Francis, sadly, has not escaped the attention of these truly contemptible criminals.
—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemptible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemptible
Adjective
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Completing the hat trick in pitiful style, Taking on the World was shot on a shoestring budget, helmed by the man behind Highlander III, and forced to rely on stock footage of real-life footballers.
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Given the national team’s pitiful demise at the Oval, with New Zealand completing victory on the fifth morning, Ben Stokes’ revival in absentia feels like the only consolation from a miserable week.
Adjective
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After these first three majors — and after a pathetic showing this week at Shinnecock — there's no reason to bet against it.
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The Right Now’s Diana Levy — the executive producer of the stunt — asked reporters to spread out in a way that would make the turnout appear as sparse (and therefore pathetic) as possible.
Adjective
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Powerful, rich people filled the lawn to watch a violent sport that ended with a vile and racist comment.
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That person is referring to heavyweight Josh Hokit, who is facing widespread backlash for making a vile joke about former first lady Michelle Obama after winning his match over Derrick Lewis.
Adjective
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On paper, some of the six, all of whom are far-right conservatives, have enviable educational backgrounds, but the record has proven that each one is openly political and willing to rubber-stamp nearly all of DeSantis’ lame and unconstitutional policies.
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In November 2008 an errant air strike, conducted under auspices of a lame-duck Bush administration, killed 37 civilians who were at a wedding party in Wech Baghtu, Afghanistan.
Adjective
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We’re used to nasty, hateful, and sometimes violent things being said about us and even about our family.
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Tarik Skubal was nasty against the Yankees.
Adjective
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The revolution won’t come cheap.
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Across six online experiments, the researchers showed participants a cheaper lower-quality item such as a sweater alongside a pricier higher-quality version.
Adjective
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Those who have sustained a severe burn or dirty wound should follow up with a booster after five years, according to the CDC.
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Down Pennsylvania Avenue, a man in a karate gi, disposable gloves, and dirty white sneakers was hauling a cart by means of a homemade yoke strapped across his shoulders.
Adjective
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The Giants, who went on to lose yesterday, are now 31-46, and the vibes are wretched.
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Jones also further expounds on the vampire’s wretched lineage and mythology through flashbacks.
Cite this Entry
“Contemptible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemptible. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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