Synonyms of lame

lame 1 of 2

adjective

ˈlām 

1

as in pitiful

arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust

that's a pretty lame way to treat someone

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in unacceptable

falling short of a standard

the amenities at this hotel are lame; there's not even free Wi-Fi in the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unacceptable
• poor
• wrong
• bad
• pathetic
• horrible
• awful
• terrible
• deficient
• flawed
• disastrous
• unsatisfactory
• bastard
• wretched
• inferior
• crummy
• dreadful
• brutal
• substandard
• lousy
• sour
• ill
• suboptimal
• subpar
• lacking
• wanting
• inadequate
• wack
• from hunger
• paltry
• off
• useless
• bush
• punk
• defective
• rotten
• dissatisfactory
• short
• worthless
• bush-league
• miserable
• gross
• insufficient
• stinky
• atrocious
• deplorable
• detestable
• below par
• damnable
• abysmal
• sucky
• cheesy
• faulty
• horrendous
• crappy
• vile
• mediocre
• execrable
• egregious
• shoddy
• unspeakable
• gnarly
• flagrant
• lesser
• odious
• common
• trashy
• bum
• low-rent
• abominable
• reprehensible
• low-grade
• sleazy
• second-rate
• shabby
• valueless
• coarse
• skimpy
• rubbishy
• meager
• scurrilous
• scanty
• junky
• fake
• miserly
• mean
• phony
• stingy
• bitchin'
• villainous
• sham
• spare
• cut-rate
• counterfeit
• miscreant
• skimp

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• satisfactory
• acceptable
• standard
• adequate
• decent
• fine
• tolerable
• all right
• OK
• great
• classical
• passable
• respectable
• classic
• perfect
• excellent
• superior
• better
• wonderful
• noble
• special
• splendid
• neat
• mean
• divine
• prime
• terrific
• slick
• sensational
• grand
• nifty
• marvelous
• stellar
• fancy
• banner
• superb
• top
• choice
• dandy
• fabulous
• sufficient
• first-class
• heavenly
• superlative
• swell
• sterling
• mediocre
• keen
• average
• premium
• par excellence
• exceptional
• boss
• useful
• minimal
• unsurpassed
• fair
• borderline
• suitable
• worthy
• high-grade
• groovy
• A1
• capital
• middling
• first-rate
• top-notch
• crackerjack
• high-test
• bang-up
• supernal
• jim-dandy
• tip-top
• satisfying
• so-so
• unexceptional
• gratifying

lame

2 of 2

verb

as in to cripple

to cause severe or permanent injury to

we were afraid that the horse would be lamed by its horrible fall

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cripple
• incapacitate
• wound
• scar
• disable
• hurt
• injure
• bruise
• damage
• maim
• mutilate
• kill
• hit
• paralyze
• hobble
• rough (up)
• beat
• wing
• hamstring
• gore
• slap
• torture
• lick
• maul
• mangle
• disfigure
• box
• impair
• bash
• dismember
• whack
• smack
• belt
• pummel
• harm
• batter
• sock
• bludgeon
• bang
• lacerate
• buffet
• lambaste
• punch
• smash
• paste
• thump
• whip
• bung up
• flog
• murder
• torment
• swipe
• pelt
• hammer
• thrash
• pound
• break
• lace
• lash
• kneecap
• spank
• swat
• drub
• thwack
• pommel
• wallop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cure
• remedy
• heal
• rehabilitate
• fix
• patch
• restore
• repair
• renew
• mend
• doctor
• rejuvenate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lame

Adjective

The nearly unprecedented circumstances tied Suzuki to Minasian, who was a lame-duck GM at the time. — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Kanal has borne the brunt of these rifts and was kept in financial limbo during those nearly two lame-duck years. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 10 Sep. 2026

The lame-duck session will likely focus on whether an agreement can be reached on an overall bill to fund the government, with an expiration of December 11. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026

Post-election powers Keisha Lance Bottoms has a message for Republicans who might be tempted to limit her powers in a lame-duck special session if the Democrat wins the race for governor in November. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026