as in vile
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
the detestable actions of a nasty little man
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 detestable
Since season 1, Steve has evolved from detestable jock to one of the series’ most beloved and protective figures.
—
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
But the context, circumstances and lack of reflection made his this detestable being.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 25 Aug. 2025
But a wave of summer shows were canceled in response, with conservative leader Kemi Badenoch—a uniquely detestable political figure in a country that perfected the form—calling on Glastonbury to remove the band from this year’s bill.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 28 May 2025
Top-notch casting is the cherry on top, with Lily James as the supremely likable Cinderella, Richard Madden as her down-to-earth prince, Cate Blanchett as the detestable stepmother with her own imperfect backstory, and Helena Bonham Carter as one lovably flighty fairy godmother.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for detestable
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
But the context, circumstances and lack of reflection made his this detestable being.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 25 Aug. 2025
But a wave of summer shows were canceled in response, with conservative leader Kemi Badenoch—a uniquely detestable political figure in a country that perfected the form—calling on Glastonbury to remove the band from this year’s bill.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 28 May 2025
Top-notch casting is the cherry on top, with Lily James as the supremely likable Cinderella, Richard Madden as her down-to-earth prince, Cate Blanchett as the detestable stepmother with her own imperfect backstory, and Helena Bonham Carter as one lovably flighty fairy godmother.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for detestable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detestable
Adjective
-
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
-
Over time, Christine’s love for Raoul deepens, the Phantom becomes more destructive and vile, and the trio comes together for one final battle, forcing her into a critical decision that brings the story to a close.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Similarly, having a conscience means feeling sadness or moral repulsion at the idea of taking a certain action, and those emotions entail a physiological response, a remnant of having once felt sick with guilt after committing an immoral act.—
Ted Chiang,
The Atlantic,
3 June 2026
-
Ryan Josue Rojas, 20, of Herriman, Utah, was arraigned Sunday on one count of accosting a minor for immoral purposes, Michigan State Police said.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
My father was running the skid steer outside, clearing the snow, leaving dirty white mounds to either side of the driveway that led from the house out to the range road.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Workers have told us that even wiping sweat from their face can be criticized because supervisors worry about the garment getting dirty.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Flu season may be mostly behind us, but a nasty, highly contagious stomach bug is rising.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
-
Rhaenyra is suddenly dealing with internal criticism, possible rebellions, subjects spray-painting nasty stuff on the walls and self-doubt.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
The immigrant-detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz, deep in the Florida Everglades, stands out as a uniquely cruel publicity stunt with an absurdly high price tag, in which much of the money goes into just a few pockets.—
Eric Schlosser,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
-
Therefore, a second execution would not violate the prohibition on double jeopardy or on the imposition of cruel punishment.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Predictions: Jamie Bell, Charlie Hunnam, Oscar Isaac, Matthew Macfadyen, Matthew Rhys A loaded category is headlined by Carey Mulligan’s fierce, contemptible, often hilarious performance as Oscar Isaac’s fed-up wife in Beef.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
2 May 2026
-
Most people in the anglosphere don’t follow this region, and those who do get their opinions from a small number of people with a contemptible worldview.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
These despicable acts are the norm of this administration.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
27 May 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
Her vicious block on Clark with seven minutes left nearly lifted the roof off the place.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
Other cast members spoke on rising to new challenges in Season 2, including Paulina Chavez, whose character Ariana Medina survived a vicious assault in the penultimate episode.—
Kai Naima Williams,
Variety,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detestable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detestable. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
