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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

Examples of despicable in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web Venezuela had other despicable dictators before Maduro. Tim Padgett, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2024 None of the past presidents engaged in the despicable tactics used by Trump and his MAGA cult. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2024 Vice President Kamala Harris called the flag burning and defacing of property despicable and unpatriotic. Matt Galka, Baltimore Sun, 25 July 2024 The despicable narrative should not be cloaked by the hurricane. Leah Dolan, CNN, 12 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for despicable 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despicable
Adjective
  • Dafoe’s vampire, while grotesque, is a pitiful figure who embodies the strange, fundamental sadness of vampiric existence.
    James Grebey, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024
  • Every watt of energy not produced in the United States comes from places like China and Iran, which have pitiful environmental controls.
    The Denver Post, The Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Politicians spewing vile rhetoric rather than proposing remedies that unite more than divide.
    Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
  • Murphy shapes his horrible narrative through vile and appalling character portrayals of Lyle and of me and disheartening slander.
    Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 20 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • In a pathetic attempt to win him over, Doreen does her hair up like Loretta, but Oliver is unfazed.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 8 Oct. 2024
  • Though the operation succeeded politically, the Russian military’s performance was pathetic; there was horrible coordination between branches, poorly executed flight missions, malfunctioning equipment and deaths from friendly fire.
    Sarah A. Topol, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2024
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
  • New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave took a nasty hit in their Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers and was carted off the field.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
  • The soaring harmonies on the chorus, the nasty edge to the bass line, the way the horns add sizzle to an already piping-hot track; these are all the indelible hallmarks of Jones’ work.
    Elias Leight, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Because three seasons playing melancholic, sad, depressed, and lost is not fun anymore.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2024
  • The French might be sad if Emily leaves for Italy, but Americans in Paris are unlikely to shed any tears; many of them have had enough of the Chicago native’s absent-minded cultural blunders.
    Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • High-performance mechanical switches or potentiometer sticks still perform incredibly well, and some budget Hall effect peripherals will still cheap out on materials, quality control, and manufacturing tolerances.
    Henri Robbins, WIRED, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Soon, demand outpaced the supply of 2C-B available in Latin America, so Colombian dealers cut the powder with cheaper, longer-lasting, and more abundant European imports like MDMA and ketamine.
    Celia Ford, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Some, like the expert John Allen, thought that people’s ethics would even stop them from doing immoral things online.
    Callum Booth, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
  • In the interview about Coates’ new book, The Message, which argues that Israel’s treatment of Palestinians is immoral, host Tony Dokoupil drew criticism from some for his pointed questioning around Coates’ views.
    Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near despicable

Cite this Entry

“Despicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despicable. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on despicable

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