VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

despicable

adjective·Advanceddisapproving

Last updated

UK/dɪˈspɪkəbl/
US/dɪˈspɪkəbəl/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meaning

  1. adjectivecomparable

    So cruel, dishonest or cowardly that it deserves strong disgust and contempt.

    Grammar: Used before a noun or after a verb: a despicable act, or his behavior was despicable.

    Patterns

    • a despicable act
    • it is despicable to do something
    • despicable of someone

    Stealing money meant for sick children is a despicable crime.

    It was despicable of him to blame his assistant for the mistake.

    The tenants described the landlord's threats as despicable.

Word forms

comparativemore despicable
superlativemost despicable

Common combinations

a despicable act
Setting the shelter on fire was a despicable act.
despicable behavior
The coach was fired for his despicable behavior toward young players.
absolutely despicable
Taking advantage of elderly people is absolutely despicable.
a despicable person
Only a despicable person would lie about a friend's death.
find something despicable
Many readers found the villain's cruelty despicable.

Synonyms and how they differ

contemptible
Contemptible is very close in meaning but sounds a little more formal and focuses on being worthy of scorn rather than moral outrage.
vile
Vile is more emotional and also covers things that are physically disgusting, while despicable is mainly about moral conduct.
loathsome
Loathsome stresses the feeling of revulsion in the person who sees it, not just the moral judgment.
deplorable
Deplorable is milder, describing something that deserves strong disapproval or sorrow, and is often used for conditions as well as acts.

Opposites

admirablehonorablecommendable

Word family

despicably adverb
in a way that deserves contempt
despicableness noun
the quality of being despicable
despise verb
to feel strong contempt for someone or something

Commonly confused: despicable or deplorable?

despicable vs deplorable

Deplorable describes something terrible or shameful that people regret, such as living conditions. Despicable aims strong contempt at a person's character or actions.

Practice

Which situation would most naturally be described as 'despicable'?

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “despicable”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words