Synonyms of contemptible

contemptible

adjective

kən-ˈtem(p)-tə-bəl 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pitiful
• lame
• cheap
• wretched
• dirty
• disgusting
• nasty
• hateful
• mean
• despicable
• vile
• deplorable
• pitiable
• sorry
• grubby
• lousy
• paltry
• scabby
• scurvy
• loathsome
• odious
• detestable
• sneaking
• disgraceful
• abominable
• scummy
• ratty
• shameful
• abhorrent
• repugnant
• repulsive
• revolting
• dishonorable
• discreditable
• execrable
• condemnable
• disreputable
• cruddy
• ignoble
• ignominious
• reprehensible
• sordid
• craven
• squalid
• shabby
• unprincipled
• cowardly
• reptilian
• unscrupulous
• revulsive
• unethical
• dastardly
• base
• censurable
• reproachable
• blamable
• low

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• admirable
• laudable
• praiseworthy
• meritorious
• commendable
• creditable
• noble
• honorable
• honest
• scrupulous
• principled
• upright
• reputable
• redoubtable
• moral
• good
• virtuous
• righteous
• ethical
• right
• high-minded
• right-minded

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

• pathetic
• pitiful
• sad
• miserable
• despicable
• lame
• wretched
• disgusting
• pitiable
• bad
• shameful
• disgraceful
• sorry
• odious
• deplorable
• poor
• detestable
• abominable
• disreputable
• hateful
• notorious
• worthless
• abhorrent
• infamous
• ignominious
• discreditable
• unworthy
• dishonorable
• stinking
• lousy
• inferior
• shocking
• sordid
• scandalous
• misbegotten
• beastly
• unsavory
• meritless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• admirable
• respectable
• decent
• worthy
• outstanding
• excellent
• notable
• meritorious
• commendable
• noteworthy
• creditable
• noticeable
• perfect
• laudable
• praiseworthy
• reputable
• noble
• honorable
• presentable
• redoubtable
• honest
• straight
• flawless

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

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

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