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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

Examples 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 Warren was neither asked nor volunteered proof to back up her despicable charge. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024 The mighty Roosevelt Johnson pulls a dual role as the exasperated ghost of Pap and the despicable Uncle Rev. Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 25 Oct. 2024 Ahead of the events depicted in season seven, our young heroes, the students of Class 1-A, have taken to the streets, battling the despicable villains out to take advantage of a country in crisis. David Opie, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2024 While very much a sharply compelling crime drama with electrifying action sequences, the film is also unafraid to consider how and why people are swayed to such despicable causes and draws a clear line to why these ideologies are still with us today. Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for despicable 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despicable
Adjective
  • Perhaps this weekend can be a get-right game against the pitiful New York Jets, but there’s not much to be excited about.
    Fox News Staff, Fox News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Mercifully, Newcastle came up against a Leicester side whose setup under Ruud van Nistelrooy was as naive as their defensive performance was pitiful.
    Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • David Tennant is spectacular as always as the rather vile, vengeful Tony Baddingham, a ruthless TV executive with axes to grind.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
  • His vile ways are what made season 6, episode 9's incredible Battle of the Bastards resonate.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In the final, pathetic weeks of his failed presidency, Joe Biden has been casting about desperately for a positive legacy.
    Jack Butler, National Review, 12 Jan. 2025
  • The 10th pick will be your usual pathetic Bear player.
    Jon Greenberg, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.
    Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2021
  • 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
  • The net front is the nastiest place on an NHL rink.
    Chris Branch, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Make sure your items are delivered on time before nasty weather hits by signing up for a Prime membership.
    Christopher Murray, Fox News, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Of what relevance is an absurdist fable, written in German, about a sad man who transforms into an insect, to an American teenager in the twenty-first century?
    Harper's Magazine, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
  • The sad scenes that accompanied Rooney’s final game at Oxford felt a long way from the surge of optimism that greeted his arrival in Devon on a three-year contract in May.
    Richard Amofa, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The 25-year-old is cheap, still a season away from salary arbitration eligibility, also plays the corner outfield spots, and won’t be a free agent until after the 2028 season.
    Brendan Kuty, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
  • New England legislators and regulators consistently blocked building additional pipelines from the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and other regions in the U.S. and Canada, which could bring cheap, onshore natural gas to replace fuel oil.
    Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Growing shares in each party describe those in the other party as more closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent than other Americans.
    NBC News, NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Last week’s interview saw CBS Mornings co-host Tony Dokoupil speak with author Ta-Nehisi Coates about his new book The Message, which passionately argues that Israel’s treatment of Palestinians is immoral and should be condemned.
    Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near despicable

Cite this Entry

“Despicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despicable. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

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