Synonyms of vile

vile

adjective

ˈvī(-ə)l 

1

as in evil

not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable

a vile plot to murder their political enemies

Synonyms & Similar Words

• evil
• immoral
• unlawful
• sinful
• vicious
• dark
• wicked
• bad
• obscene
• rotten
• villainous
• cruel
• nefarious
• infamous
• offensive
• iniquitous
• corrupt
• wrong
• ugly
• unsavory
• illegal
• unethical
• unauthorized
• unrighteous
• cursed
• improper
• nasty
• dirty
• condemned
• contemptible
• despicable
• sordid
• infernal
• disreputable
• ignoble
• depraved
• prohibited
• reprehensible
• objectionable
• pernicious
• naughty
• atrocious
• dishonest
• noxious
• forbidden
• perverted
• ill
• sick
• debased
• snide
• pestilential
• unwholesome
• mean
• degenerate
• ungodly
• debauched
• dissolute
• scrofulous
• base
• unhealthy
• censurable
• fallen
• wretched
• incorrect
• blameworthy
• unclean
• miserable
• libertine
• execrable
• blamable
• evil-minded
• vulgar
• unprincipled
• indecent
• unscrupulous
• unseemly
• proscribed
• loose
• low-minded
• outlawed
• barred
• reprobate
• dishonorable
• unbecoming
• indecorous
• discouraged
• lousy
• defiling
• low
• curst
• errant
• cussed
• banned
• disallowed
• erring
• interdicted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• moral
• good
• virtuous
• honorable
• noble
• righteous
• sublime
• ethical
• decent
• legitimate
• right
• honest
• high
• legal
• upright
• lofty
• just
• permitted
• reputable
• elevated
• scrupulous
• principled
• permissible
• authorized
• endorsed
• licensed
• approved
• proper
• high-minded
• sanctioned
• correct
• decent
• clean
• allowed
• promoted
• pure
• exemplary
• supported
• white
• decorous
• seemly
• innocent
• perfect
• wholesome
• creditable
• blameless
• worthy
• commendable
• law-abiding
• encouraged
• guiltless
• inoffensive
• unobjectionable
• chaste
• immaculate
• spotless
• venerable
• irreproachable
• indorsed
• incorruptible
• esteemed
• unerring
• abetted
• respected
• uncorrupted
• lily-white
• squeaky-clean
• unfallen
• upstanding

2

as in nasty

not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency

a vile trick to play on someone

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

3

as in ugly

unpleasant to look at

an outfit with a truly vile combination of colors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ugly
• hideous
• grotesque
• unpleasing
• disgusting
• awful
• monstrous
• unattractive
• unsightly
• unappealing
• homely
• unlovely
• horrible
• unbeautiful
• loathsome
• repulsive
• abominable
• sickening
• revolting
• uncomely
• ill-favored
• repugnant
• appalling
• unpretty
• horrid
• unhandsome
• abhorrent
• nauseating
• repellent
• dreadful
• distasteful
• repellant
• gross
• nauseous
• noisome
• unbecoming
• plain
• frumpy
• unaesthetic
• unshapely
• frumpish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• beautiful
• lovely
• pretty
• attractive
• gorgeous
• handsome
• goodly
• beauteous
• stunning
• fair
• cute
• ravishing
• aesthetic
• seemly
• good-looking
• comely
• esthetic
• knockout
• drop-dead
• taking
• fetching
• aesthetical
• shapely
• sightly
• bonny
• impressive
• imposing
• esthetical
• well-favored
• bonnie
• prepossessing

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

Examples of vile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Loomer has been banned from most social media platforms for her vile rhetoric, though her account was restored in 2022 on X after Elon Musk, himself an avid Trump supporter, purchased the platform. —Jon Passantino, CNN, 13 Sep. 2024

So now Murphy shapes his horrible narrative through vile and appalling character portrayals of Lyle and of me and disheartening slander. —Meredith Woerner, Variety, 21 Sep. 2024

All that time in his vile proximity serves as a challenge to recognize what’s right in front of you; not an antihero, not a misunderstood victim, not a bully who just needs a little parental guidance to stop acting out. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024

Moore’s character, Elisabeth Sparkle — an Oscar-winning actress who became a daytime-TV fitness guru in later life — is bereft after a vile network executive (Dennis Quaid) cancels her show. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 3 Sep. 2024