DESPICABLE Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'despicable' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of despicable are contemptible , pitiable , scurvy , and sorry . While all these words mean "arousing or deserving scorn," despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation. // a despicable crime

Q: When can 'contemptible' be used instead of 'despicable'?

The meanings of contemptible and despicable largely overlap; however, contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values. // a contemptible liar

Q: Where would 'pitiable' be a reasonable alternative to 'despicable'?

The words pitiable and despicable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity. // a pitiable attempt at tragedy

Q: How do 'scurvy' and 'despicable' relate to one another?

Scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust. // a scurvy crew of hangers-on

Q: When might 'sorry' be a better fit than 'despicable'?

The synonyms sorry and despicable are sometimes interchangeable, but sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness. // this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car

despicable

adjective

di-ˈspi-kə-bəl

Definition of despicable

as in pitiful

arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust even within the prison population, pedophiles are regarded as particularly despicable

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in vile

not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency the cad's despicable behavior toward women

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pathetic

deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy) a despicable attempt at making a movie comedy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word despicable different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of despicable are contemptible, pitiable, scurvy, and sorry. While all these words mean "arousing or deserving scorn," despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation.

a despicable crime

When can contemptible be used instead of despicable?

The meanings of contemptible and despicable largely overlap; however, contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values.

a contemptible liar

Where would pitiable be a reasonable alternative to despicable?

The words pitiable and despicable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity.

a pitiable attempt at tragedy

How do scurvy and despicable relate to one another?

Scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.

a scurvy crew of hangers-on

When might sorry be a better fit than despicable?

The synonyms sorry and despicable are sometimes interchangeable, but sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness.

this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car

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 despicable Maybe America was too busy wrestling with its own history of siding with the most despicable villains around? — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 July 2026 Judge calls Heuermann ‘despicable’ As a series of victims’ kin spoke, Heuermann sat with his hands on the defense table, looking straight ahead and lightly tapping his fingers. — Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026 Among the other fan favorites who would make for exciting returns on the new show are Amaury Nolasco as Michael's loyal cellmate Fernando Sucre, William Fichtner as former FBI agent Alexander Mahone, and Robert Knepper as the despicable predator T-Bag. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 17 June 2026 But Bradley typically found ways to complicate even his most despicable characters. — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for despicable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for despicable

Adjective

Just 7% of Democrats approve, along with a pitiful 12% of independents.

— Jon Keller, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Herbert's six interceptions is only surpassed by Drake Maye's pitiful start to the season.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of pitiful

Adjective

Prosecutors reveal Ha used anonymous social media accounts to send dozens of vile antisemitic threats, leaking the victim’s home address and forcing their family to flee.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
New additions include singer Tank, who plays vile music exec Eric Cropper and Jax’s main client, Beauty in Black star Taylor Polidore Williams as Eric’s wife Brooke, La La Anthony as Eric’s first wife Melina, and then Megan Good as Regina Harris.

— Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of vile

Adjective

Ali then went to the top rope and hit a nasty 450 splash through the table.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
However, the modern versions that are packed with high explosives and sit lurking under the dirt to blow up unwary vehicles or pedestrians are much nastier affairs.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of nasty

Adjective

Investors now see access to cheap and reliable power as a precondition for European companies to compete long-term.

— Sophie Dembinski, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Telehealth sites hit their first jackpot in the 2010s, when Viagra and other drugs for erectile dysfunction came off patent, allowing for the sale of cheaper generics.

— Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of cheap

Adjective

Central to the exhibition is the tension between the honorable and the immoral, the appealing and the revolting.

— News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026
Luca Guadagnino’s Artificial premiered at New York Film Festival last night and left many people wondering, Just how funny can a movie about both the terrible capacity of generative AI and the immoral people in charge of it be?

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of immoral

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desperation

despicable

despicableness

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“Despicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despicable. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of despicable

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