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 After Girdusky’s vile comments to Hasan on Phillip’s CNN show, he was gone by the end of the next ad break, then barred from the network altogether. Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2025 Fueled by a humorless fear of precisely the human experiences and emotions that connect us, book banning ironically often metamorphosizes into acts of promotion, and just as often ends up exposing vile and corrosive hypocrisy in those lighting the matches. Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025 Jacksonville Jaguars punter Logan Cooke was accused of making a vile remark toward a Tennessee Titans player on Sunday during their chippy matchup on Sunday afternoon. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Dec. 2025 Is Tucker’s son Buckley, who serves as JD Vance’s top aide also a vile bigot? Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vile
Adjective
  • Gans could have allowed the hulking, evil character to register as an oppressive, scene-stealing presence, but opts to force Pyramid Head into crowded frames with other monsters who, even at their best designed, frequently detract from the paltry terror and register as annoying visual noise.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Strapped with his Sword of Power, He-Man and his He-pals — Teela (Camila Mendes), Duncan/Man-at-Arms (Idris Elba) and others — are gonna take down the evil Skeletor (Jared Leto).
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • As many of us can attest, this slick layer of ice can lead to nasty falls.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2026
  • The Patriots, who pursued signing Stidham this offseason as a free agent, will have something nasty in store for the longtime reserve.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The duo first split in 2024 and confirmed the news in February 2025, before things took a dramatically ugly turn.
    Joseph Wilkinson, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
  • The Nets had already been through ugly this season.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • In addition to being immoral, CFA’s support for BDS likely violates state law, AB 2844, which prohibits California from contracting with entities that engage in discrimination, including against Jews or Israelis.
    Mark Pinkert, Oc Register, 23 Dec. 2025
  • The film follows the deliciously immoral, widowed Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), who maneuvers, deceives and seduces her way through London and across her relatives' country estates in an effort to find a wealthy husband for herself and her daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark).
    Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The women have frequently shared their custom dirty soda orders and helped catapult the once-niche drink, often guzzled from 44-ounce mega cups, into the spotlight.
    Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026
  • If extremely dirty, they can be very briefly dunked into cold water and wiped dry.
    Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Such jars of moldy fruit were probably fairly hideous to consume.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The Rodents of Unusual Size that attack Westley in a swamp work because they are played by small men in rodent suits, rather than coolly conjured from pixels; their deliberate artifice is the thrill, and Reiner provided the voice for their hideous snorts.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • Court records show that Moss was charged in 2024 with a range of felonies, including domestic battery and unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.
    Patrick Smith, NBC news, 23 Jan. 2026
  • In June 2024, court records show, Moss was charged with three felony counts of domestic battery, three felony counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, two felony counts of intimidation and felony criminal recklessness.
    Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The Moon is at odds with three planets, which can trigger arguments, snide remarks and even cruel retorts.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2026
  • An old 4chan meme designed as a cruel caricature has somehow become the face of clueless commentators asking for context.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Vile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vile. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

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