DESPICABLE Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: How do 'scurvy' and 'despicable' relate to one another?

Scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust. // a scurvy crew of hangers-on

Q: 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

despicable

adjective

di-ˈspi-kə-bəl

Definition of despicable

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in vile

not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency the cad's despicable behavior toward women

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pathetic

deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy) a despicable attempt at making a movie comedy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example 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 Among the other fan favorites who would make for exciting returns on the new show are Amaury Nolasco as Michael's loyal cellmate Fernando Sucre, William Fichtner as former FBI agent Alexander Mahone, and Robert Knepper as the despicable predator T-Bag. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 17 June 2026 But Bradley typically found ways to complicate even his most despicable characters. — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026 Ditto his despicable aides and Cabinet members, his unprincipled sycophants and suck-ups. — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 9 June 2026 Leto, who has done more than a few of these kinds of villainous cartoon characters, brings some scene-stealing sly humor and sharp line readings to his despicable Skeletor with a voice that sounds like a cross between James Earl Jones and Sir Ian McKellen. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for despicable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for despicable

Adjective

Completing the hat trick in pitiful style, Taking on the World was shot on a shoestring budget, helmed by the man behind Highlander III, and forced to rely on stock footage of real-life footballers.

— Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Given the national team’s pitiful demise at the Oval, with New Zealand completing victory on the fifth morning, Ben Stokes’ revival in absentia feels like the only consolation from a miserable week.

— Hector Vickers, New York Times, 21 June 2026

Definition of pitiful

Adjective

In that time seven states seceded from the Union, while lame-duck Pres.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026
The jokes are still wildly scattershot and frequently, knowingly lame; the production is still cheap and cheerfully scrappy; the whole ragged enterprise is still reliant on the evident affection and chemistry between its players to hold it together.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of lame

Adjective

Her boyfriend is nasty Sebastiano’s older soldier son Michelangelo (Lorenzo Richelmy), a true chip off the old block.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
Beyond those obvious impediments, Elkins was coming off a nasty stoppage loss in his previous fight against Julian Erosa at UFC 314 in April 2025.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of nasty

Adjective

Washington Post cartoonist Clifford Berryman quickly produced a cartoon showing Roosevelt refusing to shoot a tiny bear cub with big sad eyes and a rope around its neck.

— Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
These sad conventions; these American ways of being, pacing to the end of a block and back like hamsters.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

Culturelle probiotics tend to be cheaper than Align products and are ideal for those with frequent diarrhea.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Birmingham26, the organisers, say that half of their 250,000 tickets — across morning and evening sessions — are £30 or cheaper.

— Liam Tharme, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of cheap

Browse Nearby Words

desperation

despicable

despicableness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Despicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despicable. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of despicable

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on despicable

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

circumscribe

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes