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
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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
The Department of Justice has launched a full investigation into the despicable incident that took place earlier today at a church in Minnesota.
—
Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 20 Jan. 2026
Some, however, have called for an even harsher punishment for the royal’s despicable actions, including jail time.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 Jan. 2026
If some of the K-dramas on this list offer a much needed escape from the brutalities of our lived dystopia, Squid Game refused to shy away from capitalism’s most despicable conclusions.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
Even with the most despicable character.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despicable
Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 20 Jan. 2026
Some, however, have called for an even harsher punishment for the royal’s despicable actions, including jail time.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 Jan. 2026
If some of the K-dramas on this list offer a much needed escape from the brutalities of our lived dystopia, Squid Game refused to shy away from capitalism’s most despicable conclusions.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
Even with the most despicable character.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for despicable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despicable
Adjective
-
Gallup reached only 50,000 people, a pitiful fraction of The Literary Digest’s awe-inspiring mailbag.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Mercy came via a bye week, the pitiful Raiders and an inept Cowboys defense.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Aerion was absolutely vile to him.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
-
That’s why every encounter with a non-vile mezcal should be celebrated, and the Desolas Mezcal Reposado is decidedly not vile.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Of course, the notes turn out to mostly be about her as well as the principal (played by Gosling), detailing their most pathetic behaviors.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The pathetic leaks didn’t work.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Smith said the legislation could pass in December, during the lame-duck session of Congress that will follow November’s midterm elections, but that the coming days are critical.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Maybe that’s a lame hook, but that, combined with the return of reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, gets them back in their spot.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But few teams bring a nastier one-two wallop than the Lakers, who kept the forward busy flitting back and forth between Dončić and LeBron James.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The other, maybe more difficult half, is making sure the stuff is nasty enough.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In a weirdly serendipitous bit of cinema news, Billie Eilish—queen of melancholy pop—is turning her sad eyes to Sylvia Plath.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Resident reactions Some residents are sad to see the cemetery go.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Unlike rivals giving subscribers a choice of ad-free plans or cheaper tiers with ads, Amazon defaulted to ads for all subscribers to Prime, allowing an opt-out for an extra premium.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
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Rivian has been teasing the R2 for a while now, dangling the promise of a smaller, cheaper, more attainable version of its beloved R1S in front of adventure-hungry buyers who couldn’t quite stretch to the $77,000-plus sticker of its halo SUV.—
Kevin Sintumuang,
Outside,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
More and more people are avoiding dating or befriending those with opposing political views, and growing numbers describe those on the other side as closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent.—
Justin Callais,
Twin Cities,
5 Mar. 2026
-
More and more people are avoiding dating or befriending those with opposing political views, and growing numbers describe those on the other side as closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent.—
Justin Callais,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despicable. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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