Synonyms of despicable

despicable

adjective

di-ˈspi-kə-bəl 

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

• pitiful
• lame
• cheap
• wretched
• dirty
• disgusting
• nasty
• hateful
• mean
• vile
• deplorable
• contemptible
• sorry
• pitiable
• grubby
• lousy
• scummy
• scabby
• scurvy
• loathsome
• odious
• disgraceful
• sneaking
• paltry
• detestable
• abominable
• abhorrent
• shameful
• ratty
• repulsive
• repugnant
• revolting
• condemnable
• cruddy
• execrable
• dishonorable
• disreputable
• reprehensible
• discreditable
• ignoble
• sordid
• ignominious
• craven
• reptilian
• squalid
• shabby
• unscrupulous
• cowardly
• unprincipled
• unethical
• dastardly
• revulsive
• base
• reproachable
• censurable
• blamable
• low

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• admirable
• praiseworthy
• laudable
• commendable
• creditable
• meritorious
• noble
• honorable
• honest
• scrupulous
• principled
• reputable
• upright
• moral
• redoubtable
• good
• virtuous
• righteous
• ethical
• right
• high-minded
• right-minded

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

• vile
• nasty
• immoral
• dirty
• cruel
• contemptible
• vicious
• detestable
• dishonorable
• corrupt
• ignoble
• sordid
• bad
• execrable
• wretched
• evil
• ignominious
• snide
• mean
• low-down
• wicked
• low-minded
• paltry
• base
• wrong
• foul
• low
• currish
• iniquitous
• reprehensible
• depraved
• miscreant
• villainous
• perverted
• disgraceful
• shameful
• atrocious
• unscrupulous
• debased
• unprincipled
• censurable
• unethical
• blameworthy
• degenerate
• debauched
• blamable
• dissolute
• disreputable
• discreditable
• unworthy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• noble
• honorable
• virtuous
• high
• righteous
• lofty
• ethical
• excellent
• honest
• moral
• upright
• straight
• good
• venerable
• scrupulous
• principled
• exemplary
• commendable
• just
• right
• high-minded
• respectable
• proper
• decent
• reputable
• blameless
• right-minded
• guiltless
• irreproachable
• seemly
• incorruptible
• unerring
• uncorrupted

3

as in pathetic

deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)

a despicable attempt at making a movie comedy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pathetic
• pitiful
• sad
• disgusting
• miserable
• contemptible
• wretched
• lame
• pitiable
• bad
• shameful
• disgraceful
• sorry
• deplorable
• odious
• abominable
• poor
• notorious
• hateful
• detestable
• infamous
• abhorrent
• disreputable
• worthless
• ignominious
• dishonorable
• discreditable
• stinking
• unworthy
• shocking
• lousy
• sordid
• scandalous
• inferior
• misbegotten
• unsavory
• beastly
• meritless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• admirable
• outstanding
• respectable
• decent
• excellent
• worthy
• commendable
• notable
• noteworthy
• meritorious
• creditable
• noticeable
• perfect
• praiseworthy
• laudable
• reputable
• noble
• honorable
• presentable
• redoubtable
• honest
• straight
• flawless

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

Recent Examples of despicable

But as Notes from Underground progresses, his behavior turns from funny to pathetic to downright despicable. —Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026

Imagine what the outcry would be if Joe Biden had done something so despicable. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026

Where health insurance is concerned, the result is an escalation of the already despicable situation forced on patients by a lack of public insurance option (owing in no small part to commercial insurance giants themselves). —Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 2 Apr. 2026

This is York making a totally clean break from the despicable couple. —Lauryn Overhultz , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026