1
as in evil
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable a vile plot to murder their political enemies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective vile contrast with its synonyms?

The words base and low are common synonyms of vile. While all three words mean "deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values," vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth.

a vile remark

When can base be used instead of vile?

The words base and vile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness.

base motives

When is low a more appropriate choice than vile?

The meanings of low and vile largely overlap; however, low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety.

refused to listen to such low talk

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 vile The vile, racist, bigoted, and antisemitic dialogue that has been reported is deeply disturbing. Emily Chang, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2025 In the season’s back half, neither its overloading of vile desecrations nor maudlin sentimentality adds anything that Monster hadn’t already established four episodes ago. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025 Koch’s vile conduct spawns a number of unnecessary fantasy sequences either brought on by the comics or wholly imagined by Ed. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2025 Free speech scholars maintain the most vile and reprehensible speech, including that which celebrates someone's death, is legally protected — not from the consequences meted by private employers, but from government suppression. Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vile
Adjective
  • But there are many other threats out there, like the evil wizard Vilgefortz (Mahesh Jadu) who attacks Yennefer’s forces in the climactic Battle of Montecalvo.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Forces of good and evil collide in a terrifying film where real-world challenges crash headlong into other worldly creatures and myths.
    Justin Kroll, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The discrepancy has divided voters, stirred up nasty social media exchanges and even inspired an 18-year-old Lakota grad to throw his hat in the district's school board race.
    Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 29 Oct. 2025
  • And any school or school district that does try to discriminate, that man right there will probably first send you a nasty gram and then drop the hammer.
    Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The long-range scoring of Sandell and Thomas provided the night’s most memorable moments, but Mateer helped pace the offense after an ugly 99-yard first half, racking up 252 yards in the second.
    David Ubben, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Advertisement Ugly sentiments deserve ugly art, though Jude takes a nuanced stance on this matter.
    Andy Crump, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That suits its otherworldly and somewhat formal tone, which takes viewers deep into Japan’s mythical past for a quartet of eerie tales about lonely ghosts and vengeful spirits who bring supernatural justice to selfish and immoral humans.
    Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The committee voted to ask Attorney General Josh Kaul to opine on whether grooming falls under the statute related to immoral conduct, which allows DPI to revoke a license if an educator violates it.
    Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The clinic was dirtier than any of the animal hospitals that Strickland had worked in, with swarms of cockroaches hiding between the metal cages.
    Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Also, dual water tanks ensure the robot vacuum is not recirculating dirty water on my hard floors.
    Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • When her rival, Poot’s Thea, arrives underdressed, Hedda forces her into a hideous frock with fussy bows and an ungainly skirt.
    Amy Nicholson, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Here, see the real-life The Twits cast side-by-side with their hilariously hideous animated counterparts.
    Jane LaCroix, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • On Friday, two federal judges ruled that this pause is likely unlawful.
    Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
  • He is being charged in juvenile court with evidence tampering and unlawful gun possession by a minor.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • In Pahani’s 2006 award-winning comedy Offside, about the cruel cultural chains binding Iranian women, a group of young women attempt to gain entry to a stadium to watch a World Cup qualifying match between Iran and Japan.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
  • There is no reason to be cruel to people.
    Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vile. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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