contemptible

[ kuhn-temp-tuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. deserving of or held in contempt; despicable.

   Synonyms: base, low, abject, mean

   Antonyms: admirable

2. Obsolete. contemptuous.

contemptible

/ kənˈtɛmptəbəl /

adjective

1. deserving or worthy of contempt; despicable

Derived Forms

• conˌtemptiˈbility, noun
• conˈtemptibly, adverb

Other Words From

• con·tempti·bili·ty con·tempti·ble·ness noun
• con·tempti·bly adverb
• noncon·tempti·bili·ty noun
• noncon·tempti·ble adjective
• noncon·tempti·ble·ness noun
• noncon·tempti·bly adverb
• uncon·tempti·bili·ty noun
• uncon·tempti·ble adjective
• uncon·tempti·ble·ness noun
• uncon·tempti·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of contemptible¹

1350–1400; Middle English (< Middle French ) < Late Latin contemptibilis, equivalent to contempt ( us ) ( contempt ) + -ibilis -ible

Example Sentences

That’s of course contemptible, but it’s also a complete lie.

From Salon

Be open-minded and recognize that even a campaign opponent — even the contemptible Trump — can occasionally be onto something worthwhile.

From Los Angeles Times

The lawsuit argues that Netflix used her real name and biographical details in its Inventing Anna series, but she was unfairly depicted as a "vile and contemptible person".

From BBC

Peterson alleged that doctors involved in helping minors transition were “contemptible cowards” and likened them to “the Nazis.”

From Salon

“I don’t know who needs to hear this, but blocking a bridge or berating folks in Starbucks isn’t righteous,” he wrote on social media, using a vulgarity referring to a contemptible person to describe those who take such action.

From New York Times

Related Words

• abhorrent
• abominable
• disgusting
• hateful
• odious
• vile
• worthless