Definition of despicablenext
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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 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 And now, a woman has lost her life because of this despicable act. Irene Wright, USA Today, 12 May 2026 But as Notes from Underground progresses, his behavior turns from funny to pathetic to downright despicable. Big Think, 29 Apr. 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
  • While Washington drags its feet, kids across the nation are being exposed to vile, pornographic images and ads with no meaningful safeguards to prevent it.
    Rachel del Guidice, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
  • Maddie Scott reposted vile comments from one user in particular that threatened not only her and her husband, but also their newborn son.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • Sports make people a little pathetic.
    Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
  • Williams didn't portray Peter Banning as pathetic.
    Cynthia Pelayo, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
Adjective
  • The Browns are clearly in rebuild mode, with 2026 expected to be a lame-duck season at quarterback with Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders vying for the starting job for a season before the team uses the 2027 draft to select its latest quarterback of the future.
    Jim Reineking, USA Today, 2 June 2026
  • Initially blocked by recalcitrant Democratic members of the House, the legislation was reintroduced during a lame-duck session following the 2024 election.
    Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • Yet thieves have found a nasty workaround.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
  • The nasty spat culminated in April when Shell agreed to resign as president of Paramount Skydance to concentrate on his legal headache.
    Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • The sad thing for me is that, as a young actor, there was a platform for small independent films that were interesting.
    Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 11 June 2026
  • Someone said an ending can be both happy and sad at the same time, which is surely correct.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • Analyst Seth Seifman said in a note that the stock still isn’t cheap — with Kratos trading at 76 times forward earnings — but notes that investors have been awarding high-growth companies in this sector with elevated premiums.
    Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 12 June 2026
  • While countries highlighted in a new report of summer’s top travel destinations may not come as a surprise, the data also revealed ways to get there for cheaper.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • Religious practitioners may also regard nonheterosexual orientations or non-cisgender identities as immoral or otherwise inconsistent with their religious beliefs.
    Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 June 2026
  • Republicans, grow a spine and stop the immoral president.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 10 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Despicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despicable. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

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