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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vile
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
the cad's despicable behavior toward women
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pathetic
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)
a despicable attempt at making a movie comedy
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despicable
Where health insurance is concerned, the result is an escalation of the already despicable situation forced on patients by a lack of public insurance option (owing in no small part to commercial insurance giants themselves).
—
Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 2 Apr. 2026
This is York making a totally clean break from the despicable couple.
—Lauryn Overhultz , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Another of Fisk’s enforcers, the British ex-military Buck Cashman (Arty Froushan), comes into his suavely despicable own.
—Bob Strauss, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
Another of Fisk’s enforcers, the British ex-military Buck Cashman (Arty Froushan), comes into his suavely despicable own.
—Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for despicable
Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 2 Apr. 2026
This is York making a totally clean break from the despicable couple.
—Lauryn Overhultz , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Another of Fisk’s enforcers, the British ex-military Buck Cashman (Arty Froushan), comes into his suavely despicable own.
—Bob Strauss, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
Another of Fisk’s enforcers, the British ex-military Buck Cashman (Arty Froushan), comes into his suavely despicable own.
—Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for despicable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despicable
Adjective
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There’s a mentality problem — that’s highlighted by a pitiful return of just one point out of a possible 24 away from home this season against teams in the top nine.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
-
Will the harsh weather mean poor growth and pitiful harvests?—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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The land of the southern hemisphere pulled away from this vile impactor, restructuring itself in the northern hemisphere.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
11 May 2026
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Fleeing Salzburg and his father’s (Jonathan Aris) iron fist and emphasis on perfection, Mozart, armed with his compositions, vile language and impulsivity, is determined to take on the city.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Just a pathetic, sad old man who hated the world and spent his days in solitude.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
The man who has been on fire since the Knicks first tipped off against the Atlanta Hawks shot a ghastly — nay, a pathetic — 53 percent from the field.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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And getting all giddy over some lame light beer that has apple juice poured into to is just plain embarrassing.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
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This idea that just sitting with your face buried in your phone when you’re supposed to be in a social setting—that’s lame, right?—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Drain Mats Kitchen sinks may be dirty, but your drain mat is downright nasty.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
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But facing the Jaguars after the Chiefs and before the Rams is nasty business.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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The failure of so many in the political world to speak up displays a sad and growing moral bankruptcy.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
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Don’t be sad — this is not a farewell forever.—
Denni Hu,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
The reason all of this is happening, probably more than any other, is that clipping is cheap.—
Lane Brown,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
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Surprisingly the most expensive hairpiece so far has been Attenborough’s, which Fortune reveals was a hybrid of a cheap £20 ($26) wig at the back combined with tens of man-hours knotting individual strands of hair onto a lace front to create the centenarian’s familiar pate.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Each side views members of the other party not as merely having a different view on politics but rather as evil or immoral.—
James Piazza,
Twin Cities,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Pope Francis changed the church’s social teaching to declare capital punishment immoral in all cases.—
Nicole Winfield,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despicable. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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