1
as in pitiful
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
even within the prison population, pedophiles are regarded as particularly despicable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vile
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
the cad's despicable behavior toward women
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pathetic
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)
a despicable attempt at making a movie comedy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despicable
There are dirty plays in hockey, and there are the plays beyond that that are just downright despicable.
—
Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Over the course of an hour-plus, the most despicable people do the most despicable things, and the least despicable people pay the price.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 24 May 2026
What once felt unthinkable or despicable gradually becomes normal.
—Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
Seniors are primary targets for these despicable scammers for a whole bunch of reasons.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for despicable
Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Over the course of an hour-plus, the most despicable people do the most despicable things, and the least despicable people pay the price.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 24 May 2026
What once felt unthinkable or despicable gradually becomes normal.
—Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
Seniors are primary targets for these despicable scammers for a whole bunch of reasons.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for despicable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despicable
Adjective
-
Trump has made a pitiful shambles of what should have been a glorious moment.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2026
-
With his country flailing in their pitiful attempts to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, at the age of 33, Zidane underwent his change of heart.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
Powerful, rich people filled the lawn to watch a violent sport that ended with a vile and racist comment.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
-
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.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Consider this pathetic phenomenon yet one more reason the American people — or, at least, Californians — should demand a more rational way to fund political campaigns.—
Michelle Cottle,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
-
After a truly pathetic opening half, the Knicks needed to give each and every row in MSG something to cheer about.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
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.—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
-
At supper the guides exchanged significant glances across the fire and acted like a couple of guys who have picked a lame horse.—
Fred Bear,
Outdoor Life,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Those early 2010s Blackhawks teams were nasty, and they were all led by Toews.—
Matt Reigle,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
-
Lindy Ruff’s system was a tough fit, and a nasty ankle injury derailed his initial momentum in upstate New York.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
Este is sad — Este is depressed-y.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
How sad or scary is ‘Toy Story 5’?—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
The pricier piece is often the cheaper one to own.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
-
That marks a shift from an older data-center playbook built around cheap land, fiber access and tax incentives, with power planning often becoming a constraint later in the process.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
These monsters—its antitheses—constitute that part of our nature that urges us to be sensible and strong, and that inclines us to see the life drive as trivial, weak, sentimental and immoral.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
-
The artist wrote that keeping silent on this kind of behavior is akin to turning a blind eye to immoral behavior.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despicable. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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