viler ˈvī-lər How to pronounce vile (audio) ; vilest ˈvī-ləst How to pronounce vile (audio)
1
a
: morally despicable or abhorrent
nothing is so vile as intellectual dishonesty
b
: physically repulsive : foul
a vile slum
2
: of little worth or account : common
also : mean
3
: tending to degrade
vile employments
4
: disgustingly or utterly bad : obnoxious, contemptible
vile weather
had a vile temper
vilely adverb
vileness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for vile

base, low, vile mean deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values.

base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness.

base motives

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

vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth.

a vile remark

Examples of vile in a Sentence

a vile and cowardly act What is that vile odor? His comments were positively vile. She has a vile temper.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Yes, the internet facilitates stupid vile behaviours. Art De Roché, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025 But there's a better chance of government acting against a vile status quo than waiting for colleges and universities to change. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025 And quoted my column, earning me weeks of vile hate messages from across the nation. Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 10 Jan. 2025 Bigelow reunited with her The Hurt Locker writer, Mark Boal, to detail how the United States caught one of history’s most vile murderers in a film that was nominated for Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Original Screenplay. Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for vile 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French vil, from Latin vilis

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of vile was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near vile

Cite this Entry

“Vile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vile. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

vile

adjective
viler ˈvī-lər How to pronounce vile (audio) ; vilest -ləst How to pronounce vile (audio)
1
a
: morally bad
vile deeds
b
: physically ugly
vile living quarters
2
: of little worth
3
: very or completely bad
a vile temper
vile weather
vilely adverb
vileness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on vile

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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