despicable
adjective
de·spi·ca·ble di-ˈspi-kə-bəl 
ˈde-(ˌ)spi-
ˈde-(ˌ)spi- : deserving to be despised : so worthless or obnoxious as to rouse moral indignation
despicable behavior
despicableness noun
despicably
di-ˈspi-kə-blē
adverb ˈde-(ˌ)spi-
Synonyms
- cheap
- contemptible
- cruddy
- deplorable
- dirty
- grubby
- lame
- lousy
- mean
- nasty
- paltry
- pitiable
- pitiful
- ratty
- scabby
- scummy
- scurvy
- sneaking
- sorry
- wretched
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She is a despicable traitor. even within the prison population, pedophiles are regarded as particularly despicable
Recent Examples on the Web Your behavior is vile, despicable, a kick in this country’s pluralistic teeth. 
Joe Queenan, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 Fisher fired back by calling Saban despicable a few thousand times during a bizarre news conference. Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 25 Aug. 2022 This was before my time, but that depiction of Jerry West was despicable. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 5 Aug. 2022 But some movie theaters have found the trend despicable. Christi Carrasstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2022 But what often prevents cases such as the one in Virginia Beach from rising to the level of hate crime is the narrow legal window in which authorities have to prove that these despicable acts were intended for someone in particular, experts said. Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2021 Of all the film’s street slime, the corporation is surely Robocop‘s most venal, despicable monster. Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 July 2022 Judged solely by the severity of their crimes, many of the lawbreakers are overtly despicable. Rachel Newcomb, Washington Post, 8 July 2022 For Universal, the result was a box office haul that's anything but despicable. Brendan Morrow, The Week, 3 July 2022 See More
Joe Queenan, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 Fisher fired back by calling Saban despicable a few thousand times during a bizarre news conference. Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 25 Aug. 2022 This was before my time, but that depiction of Jerry West was despicable. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 5 Aug. 2022 But some movie theaters have found the trend despicable. Christi Carrasstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2022 But what often prevents cases such as the one in Virginia Beach from rising to the level of hate crime is the narrow legal window in which authorities have to prove that these despicable acts were intended for someone in particular, experts said. Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2021 Of all the film’s street slime, the corporation is surely Robocop‘s most venal, despicable monster. Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 July 2022 Judged solely by the severity of their crimes, many of the lawbreakers are overtly despicable. Rachel Newcomb, Washington Post, 8 July 2022 For Universal, the result was a box office haul that's anything but despicable. Brendan Morrow, The Week, 3 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Late Latin despicabilis, from Latin despicari to despise
First Known Use
1553, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
despicable
adjective
de·spi·ca·ble di-ˈspi-kə-bəl
ˈde-spik-
: very bad : deserving to be despised
a despicable act of cowardice
despicable
adjective
1
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
Relevance
- pitiful
- lame
- disgusting
- wretched
- cheap
- dirty
- hateful
- nasty
- vile
- deplorable
- contemptible
- mean
- pitiable
- sneaking
- sorry
- lousy
- scummy
- grubby
- loathsome
- odious
- disgraceful
- scurvy
- abhorrent
- abominable
- detestable
- scabby
- shameful
- repugnant
- repulsive
- paltry
- revolting
- ratty
- dishonorable
- condemnable
- reprehensible
- execrable
- disreputable
- cruddy
- discreditable
- ignoble
- sordid
- craven
- ignominious
- cowardly
- unscrupulous
- reptilian
- squalid
- unprincipled
- unethical
- dastardly
- shabby
- revulsive
- base
- reproachable
- censurable
- blamable
- low
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- admirable
- praiseworthy
- laudable
- commendable
- noble
- honorable
- creditable
- meritorious
- honest
- scrupulous
- virtuous
- moral
- righteous
- good
- redoubtable
- upright
- reputable
- ethical
- high-minded
- principled
- right
- right-minded
2
as in vile
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency the cad's despicable behavior toward women Synonyms & Similar Words
- vile
- immoral
- nasty
- dirty
- cruel
- contemptible
- detestable
- vicious
- dishonorable
- corrupt
- ignoble
- sordid
- execrable
- evil
- wretched
- bad
- ignominious
- snide
- mean
- low-minded
- wicked
- base
- paltry
- reprehensible
- wrong
- currish
- iniquitous
- foul
- low
- low-down
- miscreant
- depraved
- disgraceful
- villainous
- shameful
- perverted
- atrocious
- debased
- unprincipled
- unscrupulous
- unethical
- censurable
- degenerate
- blameworthy
- debauched
- disreputable
- blamable
- discreditable
- dissolute
- unworthy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- noble
- honorable
- virtuous
- righteous
- high
- ethical
- lofty
- excellent
- moral
- honest
- good
- upright
- commendable
- exemplary
- scrupulous
- straight
- venerable
- just
- right
- respectable
- high-minded
- decent
- proper
- blameless
- principled
- seemly
- right-minded
- reputable
- guiltless
- irreproachable
- incorruptible
- uncorrupted
- unerring
3
as in pathetic
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy) a despicable attempt at making a movie comedy Synonyms & Similar Words
- pathetic
- pitiful
- disgusting
- contemptible
- sad
- miserable
- wretched
- lame
- disgraceful
- pitiable
- shameful
- deplorable
- odious
- abhorrent
- abominable
- bad
- detestable
- hateful
- shameful
- disreputable
- sorry
- notorious
- poor
- infamous
- worthless
- dishonorable
- ignominious
- discreditable
- stinking
- shocking
- unworthy
- sordid
- scandalous
- lousy
- misbegotten
- unsavory
- beastly
- inferior
- meritless
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- admirable
- outstanding
- respectable
- decent
- excellent
- worthy
- commendable
- notable
- noteworthy
- creditable
- meritorious
- praiseworthy
- laudable
- perfect
- noticeable
- noble
- honorable
- reputable
- presentable
- redoubtable
- honest
- flawless
- straight
Synonym Chooser
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
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
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
Scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.
a scurvy crew of hangers-on
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