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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of despicable are contemptible, pitiable, scurvy, and sorry. While all these words mean "arousing or deserving scorn," despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation.

a despicable crime

When can contemptible be used instead of despicable?

The meanings of contemptible and despicable largely overlap; however, contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values.

a contemptible liar

Where would pitiable be a reasonable alternative to despicable?

The words pitiable and despicable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity.

a pitiable attempt at tragedy

How do scurvy and despicable relate to one another?

Scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.

a scurvy crew of hangers-on

When might sorry be a better fit than despicable?

The synonyms sorry and despicable 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 despicable But between the individual Smurfs, the deliciously despicable Gargamel, and his equally evil cat Azrael, the series kept the kids coming back for nine seasons, creating enough fond memories to turn the Smurfs into a film franchise three decades later. Will Harris, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025 What the rest of the MacKenzies don’t know, however, is that Ellen, in the midst of her grief, has fallen head over heels for Brian, the illegitimate son of the despicable Lord Lovat (Tony Curran) and a member of a rival clan. Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025 Putin and Baranov, his advisor, are despicable characters. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025 That Hamas is so despicable or dangerous that its destruction is worth brutality. Seth Lavin, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for despicable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despicable
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
  • In the season’s back half, neither its overloading of vile desecrations nor maudlin sentimentality adds anything that Monster hadn’t already established four episodes ago.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Koch’s vile conduct spawns a number of unnecessary fantasy sequences either brought on by the comics or wholly imagined by Ed.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Characters can be pathetic, and frank about their Toledo Truth Teller’s bleak prospects.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Jimmy Kimmel is a pathetic hate monger.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 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
  • And what about all that nasty mother stuff?
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The wedding ballads can wait; this nasty jam should still get the dancefloor packed in the meantime.
    Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • One purveyor of fairy tales that wasn’t afraid of a sad ending?
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Sade Bess, a Combs fan from Brooklyn, left the court’s overflow observation room looking both sad and relieved.
    Jennifer Peltz, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This World Cup wasn’t going to be cheap to attend, but these memories for life cost so much that swathes of people can’t even toy with the idea.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Utility executives and analysts have said clean energy projects are crucial to help power new data centers and factories, because they can be built quickly and produce electricity that is relatively cheap.
    Michael Copley, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Unlike previous seasons, Dorothy never makes immoral choices.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • This is disgraceful and immoral.
    Armando Garcia, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Despicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despicable. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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