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
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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 Europeans find Donald Trump alien and contemptible and a man unsuited for the U.S. presidency.
—
David Goodart, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017
It’s turned out very badly and the right-wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu is contemptible.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
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
Alwyn does some of his best work, making Harry contemptible without veering into caricature.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for contemptible
David Goodart, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017
It’s turned out very badly and the right-wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu is contemptible.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
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
Alwyn does some of his best work, making Harry contemptible without veering into caricature.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for contemptible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemptible
Adjective
-
But the rates were pitiful: $9.87 for a 13-mile trip, $19.97 for a 25-mile trip and so on.—
Eli Tan,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
-
Israel’s performance in climate mitigation, moving to renewable energies, is pitiful — just 12% when some countries are 70%.—
JTA Staff Report,
Sun Sentinel,
5 May 2025
Adjective
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No other governor, remember, has tried to pull off this pathetic budget stunt.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2025
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In his last, most pathetic years, Mark Twain threw himself behind the crackpot theory that the true author of Shakespeare’s plays may have been Francis Bacon.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
Twain’s early writing and private letters and diaries contain vile language and sentiments.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
9 May 2025
-
The Imperial City Sewers you’re meant to traverse while learning the basics of the game look hideous and vile.—
Jamal Michel,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.—
Kevin Fisher-Paulson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 June 2021
-
My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.—
Tim Neville,
Outside Online,
23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
-
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was brilliant (35 points), and the Thunder defense was nasty.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
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But Laxe’s cadence of death is nasty and arbitrary and delightful.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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Three or four people to one cabin was far cheaper than the same number of people booking three or four plane tickets to get to Spain.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
-
Once delivered, framing and panel assembly are faster and cheaper than conventional builds—cutting structural build time by 40% and labor costs by 20%.—
Jennifer Castenson,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
Duffy, a former reality show contestant and four-term congressman, comes to the blame game with dirty hands.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2025
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Here are just a few of the ways seasoned travelers use a pillowcase on the go: Laundry bag: Keep sweaty clothes or dirty socks separate from the rest of your stuff—no need for plastic grocery bags or hotel laundry sacks.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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Roaches and a wretched food truck inspection lowlight this week’s list of South Florida restaurants shut down by state inspection.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
9 May 2025
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Twain’s wife, Olivia Langdon, bore him four children, only one of whom escaped a wretched end.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemptible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemptible. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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