contemptible
adjective
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What Is the Difference Between contemptuous and contemptible?
Contemptuous and contemptible are sometimes confused with each other. This is neither surprising, as they are similar in appearance, nor is it unprecedented: the words were used interchangeably for several hundred years (from the 16th through the 18th century), with each one meaning both "deserving contempt" and "showing contempt." By the early 19th century, some commentators began raising objections when the words were used synonymously, suggesting that they should be distinguished, with contemptuous meaning only "showing contempt" and contemptible only "deserving contempt."
In the following passage, for example, a would-be critic is ridiculed for using contemptible in the sense "showing contempt":
“Young man! my opinion of you is very contemptible.” “All your opinions are contemptible,” rejoined Phillip, quietly. – Garry Avenel, Zou Mou, in The Iris, September, 1841
The distinction hinted at in this rebuke has been observed in English, by professional writers anyway, for close to 200 years.
Synonyms
- cheap
- cruddy
- deplorable
- despicable
- dirty
- grubby
- lame
- lousy
- mean
- nasty
- paltry
- pitiable
- pitiful
- ratty
- scabby
- scummy
- scurvy
- sneaking
- sorry
- wretched
Example Sentences
Margaret Sullivan, Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2022 This contemptible attack wasn’t an assault only on him, but on the West and all freethinkers. Reza Pahlavi, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2022 Navigating contemptible bosses and the petty indignities that have always been inflicted on the ranks of working stiffs has never been easy. Lindsay Ellis And Angela Yang, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022 Six years ago, Levy was backing Jeb Bush for president and dismissing Trump as contemptible. Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 24 July 2022 In its matter-of-factness, the film is nonetheless a work of outrage, less at individuals, even the most contemptible on view, than at France as a whole—postwar France and its self-silencing, self-exonerating political mythology. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 July 2022 Indeed, Don't Look Up takes a scattershot approach to lamenting humanity — from celebrities and media figures to politicians and ordinary joes — as by and large contemptible, moronic, and the hastener of its own destruction. Andy Meek, BGR, 7 Jan. 2022 Shocked at the president’s contemptible and brazenly autocratic conduct, fellow Republicans set aside partisanship, fiercely condemned Trump and joined Democrats in voting to impeach the president. Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2021 This discontent increased in the wake of a 1936 ruling known as Tipaldo, after its contemptible protagonist, a slave-driving New York factory owner, overturning a New York minimum wage law. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
Middle English, "unworthy, despicable," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "despicable, worthless," borrowed from Latin contemptibilis (Medieval Latin also, "contemptuous"), from contemptus, past participle of contemnere "to look down on, show no respect for, despise" + -ibilis -ible — more at contemn
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
contemptible
adjective
contemptible
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- pitiful
- lame
- cheap
- wretched
- disgusting
- dirty
- hateful
- nasty
- mean
- despicable
- vile
- deplorable
- pitiable
- sneaking
- sorry
- lousy
- grubby
- loathsome
- odious
- scurvy
- paltry
- detestable
- scabby
- disgraceful
- abominable
- shameful
- abhorrent
- repugnant
- scummy
- repulsive
- ratty
- revolting
- dishonorable
- discreditable
- execrable
- ignoble
- disreputable
- condemnable
- reprehensible
- craven
- ignominious
- cruddy
- sordid
- squalid
- unprincipled
- cowardly
- shabby
- unscrupulous
- revulsive
- reptilian
- unethical
- censurable
- dastardly
- base
- reproachable
- blamable
- low
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- admirable
- praiseworthy
- laudable
- meritorious
- commendable
- creditable
- honorable
- noble
- honest
- scrupulous
- virtuous
- redoubtable
- upright
- good
- reputable
- moral
- righteous
- high-minded
- ethical
- principled
- right-minded
- right
Synonyms & Similar Words
- pathetic
- pitiful
- despicable
- miserable
- disgusting
- sad
- wretched
- pitiable
- lame
- disgraceful
- shameful
- odious
- detestable
- abominable
- deplorable
- bad
- abhorrent
- disreputable
- hateful
- worthless
- shameful
- sorry
- poor
- discreditable
- ignominious
- dishonorable
- notorious
- unworthy
- infamous
- stinking
- lousy
- sordid
- inferior
- shocking
- scandalous
- beastly
- misbegotten
- unsavory
- meritless
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- admirable
- respectable
- worthy
- decent
- outstanding
- excellent
- meritorious
- commendable
- notable
- noteworthy
- creditable
- noticeable
- laudable
- praiseworthy
- perfect
- honorable
- noble
- reputable
- presentable
- redoubtable
- honest
- flawless
- straight
Synonyms & Similar Words
- vile
- immoral
- nasty
- dirty
- detestable
- despicable
- cruel
- ignoble
- dishonorable
- vicious
- corrupt
- sordid
- ignominious
- execrable
- wretched
- bad
- snide
- low-minded
- evil
- mean
- paltry
- base
- currish
- wicked
- iniquitous
- wrong
- low
- reprehensible
- low-down
- foul
- depraved
- censurable
- disgraceful
- miscreant
- debased
- shameful
- perverted
- unprincipled
- blameworthy
- unworthy
- blamable
- discreditable
- degenerate
- villainous
- dissolute
- debauched
- unscrupulous
- atrocious
- disreputable
- unethical
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- honorable
- noble
- virtuous
- lofty
- high
- righteous
- honest
- excellent
- ethical
- good
- upright
- moral
- scrupulous
- venerable
- commendable
- straight
- just
- exemplary
- respectable
- high-minded
- right
- decent
- seemly
- proper
- principled
- right-minded
- blameless
- guiltless
- reputable
- irreproachable
- incorruptible
- uncorrupted
- unerring
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of contemptible are despicable, pitiable, scurvy, and sorry. While all these words mean "arousing or deserving scorn," contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values.
In some situations, the words despicable and contemptible are roughly equivalent. However, despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation.
While in some cases nearly identical to contemptible, pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity.
Scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.
The synonyms sorry and contemptible are sometimes interchangeable, but sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness.