1
as in pitiful
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
the contemptible thieves who stole the Christmas gifts intended for needy children
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pathetic
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)
a contemptible attempt at science fiction by someone with no understanding of the genre
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in vile
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
the contemptible behavior of the students who took part in the hazing
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contemptible
Most Europeans find Donald Trump alien and contemptible and a man unsuited for the U.S. presidency.
—
David Goodart, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017
It’s turned out very badly and the right-wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu is contemptible.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
Be open-minded and recognize that even a campaign opponent — even the contemptible Trump — can occasionally be onto something worthwhile.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2024
Alwyn does some of his best work, making Harry contemptible without veering into caricature.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for contemptible
David Goodart, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017
It’s turned out very badly and the right-wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu is contemptible.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
Be open-minded and recognize that even a campaign opponent — even the contemptible Trump — can occasionally be onto something worthwhile.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2024
Alwyn does some of his best work, making Harry contemptible without veering into caricature.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for contemptible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemptible
Adjective
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But the modern Democratic Party, rudderless and confused and reeling from a pitiful collective performance during Tuesday evening's presidential joint address to Congress, now confronts a fork in the road that's no joke.—
Newsweek,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
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In the director’s world, fathers are pitiful providers, mothers are blandly cheerful (while quietly suffering enormously), and the kids see far more than their parents do.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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One of the most pathetic symbols of the new manosphere is Mark Zuckerberg.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
4 Mar. 2025
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Michael Gandolfini pops up as a slimy Fisk mayoral staffer who wouldn’t look out of place in this magazine’s recent cover featuring the new young right, and his playing both pathetic and vaguely sympathetic is very fun to watch.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Snow White gets a much more meaningful backstory The original Disney film begins with a few short sentences about how Snow White was forced to work as a scullery maid for her vile stepmother, the Queen.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA TODAY,
21 Mar. 2025
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Newsweek's efforts to politicize the death of these individuals, including the reporter's request to confirm names and locations of death, are vile.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.—
Kevin Fisher-Paulson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 June 2021
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My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.—
Tim Neville,
Outside Online,
23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
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Switching out a pump in a pit filled with raw sewage is nasty work.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
12 Apr. 2025
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The bear is back and things may stay nasty for the rest of 2025.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Their tech lets clothing companies show off a wide variety of sizes and styles—and for a whole lot cheaper.—
Alexandra York,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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In Flacco and Pickett, the Browns have two veteran backups on cheap contracts signed only for 2025.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Listen to this article Surrounded by coal miners, President Donald Trump signed an executive order vowing to roll back his predecessor’s policies limiting lung-damaging, climate-changing pollution from power plants that burn the planet’s dirtiest source of energy.—
Michael Hawthorne,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
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The floors are getting dirty and workers have no access to vacuums or mops.—
Lisa Song,
ProPublica,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The longtime Red Sox pitcher and current NESN analyst unloaded on Devers after his wretched season-opening series against the Rangers.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
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The ones who weren’t downright frauds were only cracked and wretched old women with delusions.—
Charles Portis,
Harper's Magazine,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemptible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemptible. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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