Definition of vilenext
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 His Max is both vile and charming, and the result is undeniably magnetic. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026 Slayyyter’s music is vile, explicit, and a threat to common decency. Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026 Unfortunately, there is a growing fear that their vile conduct may be but the tip of a very toxic iceberg floating about the halls of Congress. Douglas MacKinnon, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2026 Their vile chants are surely loud enough to be heard from 25 feet away. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vile
Adjective
  • For one thing, when extremely evil people never seem to get their righteous and fiery comeuppance, my rage can curdle a bit.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
  • Because instead of some hot, evil British woman who could show him the time of his life, Vish is stuck on this trip with me, the world’s first living fossil.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • During the Braves’ recent trip to Philadelphia, Kyle Farmer came down with a nasty illness possibly brought on by norovirus.
    Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 1 May 2026
  • Mfume has not joined in the negative attack game, but Conway, like other failing candidates, has decided his only political pathway is simply to run a nasty and divisive campaign.
    Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The most expensive Republican primary for governor in Georgia history is still a dead heat despite a staggering avalanche of ad spending and one of the ugliest intraparty fights in recent memory.
    Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Ohm, well played by Scott who can wither with you with a look, is the classic ugly American and is rude to everyone at the hotel, but those putdowns and cruelty hides his self loathing.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Each side views members of the other party not as merely having a different view on politics but rather as evil or immoral.
    James Piazza, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Pope Francis changed the church’s social teaching to declare capital punishment immoral in all cases.
    Nicole Winfield, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The drinks attract younger women, typically age 16 to 35, and are aimed at health-conscious customers that don’t want Swig’s more caloric and filling dirty sodas, CEO Alex Dunn said.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
  • That wasn’t the only utensil stored in a dirty place.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The two hideous games between the Lakers and Rockets will likely come to mind relatively quickly, but the trend has been greater than just one series.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Such is a snarky line that Emily Blunt delivers as Emily Charlton in The Devil Wears Prada, a character who would rather faint than wear something hideous.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • In February of this year, a district court ruled that DHS's third-country removal practices were unlawful, but the ruling was stayed pending the government's appeal, allowing the deportations to continue.
    Julia Ingram, CBS News, 1 May 2026
  • Evanston police initially detained five males, and three of them were later charged by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office on several felony and misdemeanor counts of drug and unlawful weapon possession.
    Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Even his students can be casually cruel to each other, emulating a president that Artie almost cannot fathom.
    John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
  • Baseball is a sport built on failure surrounded by a cruel, cynical business, but this level of irony is almost too rich to digest.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 1 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Vile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vile. Accessed 7 May. 2026.

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