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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
As the judge in House vs. NCAA should have known, NIL is truly the wild west, as the cliché goes, the despicable negligence of the NCAA offering technicolor proof of the organization’s amorality.
—
Guy Lawson, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
The only thing more despicable than his lies is his cowardly threat to 'take out' Iran's Supreme Leader.
—Arkansas Online, 19 June 2025
The tricky thing is that the Jackal, across the 10 episodes, does despicable acts of violence and betrayal in order to achieve his goal.
—Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 19 June 2025
The deployment showdown also led to one of the state’s most despicable standoffs.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for despicable
Guy Lawson, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
The only thing more despicable than his lies is his cowardly threat to 'take out' Iran's Supreme Leader.
—Arkansas Online, 19 June 2025
The tricky thing is that the Jackal, across the 10 episodes, does despicable acts of violence and betrayal in order to achieve his goal.
—Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 19 June 2025
The deployment showdown also led to one of the state’s most despicable standoffs.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for despicable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despicable
Adjective
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And at times, in certain places and situations, it was expected and welcome—on a long walk, or when a person confessed something pitiful, or at a funeral or a party.—
Zadie Smith,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
-
This could have been a sad or pitiful moment; instead, it was suffused with warmth.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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The tweets, a vile departure from Elmo’s often inspiring and motivational social media cadence, were sent on July 13 and promptly taken down.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
14 July 2025
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Michael Kracker, the chair of the Erie County Republican Committee, posted the image on X, formerly Twitter, describing it as vile.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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The double talk that is presented by both Republicans and Democrats alike is pathetic.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 July 2025
-
Tehran's retaliation has, so far, been pathetic: a few missiles lobbed at an empty US base, complete with a heads-up.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.—
Kevin Fisher-Paulson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 June 2021
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My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.—
Tim Neville,
Outside Online,
23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
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Her somewhat implausible problem is that her bad feelings—her irritation, her boredom—never register as such because of her beauty, her wealth, and her pedigree; so great is her beauty that even her nastiest moods feel like a sunny glow to others.—
Claire Jarvis,
New Yorker,
8 July 2025
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But use kind humor, not nasty or deprecating humor.—
Davia Temin,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
Adjective
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That's the sad reality facing many dogs in the wider shelter system.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
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The sad thing is, some people actually believe him.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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So Amazfit Active 2 $100 $80 (20% off) Amazon $100 $80 (20% off) Amazfit Our top budget fitness tracker is even cheaper thanks to Prime Day.—
Parker Hall,
Wired News,
8 July 2025
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Shop the Asus Vivobook Go 15.6-Inch FHD Slim Laptop, which is marked down to its cheapest price of the year.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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The Mann Act, also known as the White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910, is a federal law that prohibits the interstate or foreign transportation of individuals for prostitution or other immoral activities.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
3 July 2025
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What Ukraine needs now is the time, tools, and space to prove to the Kremlin that an occupation is not just immoral but incompatible with Russia’s long-term security needs.—
Michael Carpenter,
Foreign Affairs,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despicable. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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