despicable

[ des-pi-kuh-buhl, dih-spik-uh- ]

adjective

1. deserving to be despised, or regarded with distaste, disgust, or disdain; contemptible:

   He was a mean, despicable man, who treated his wife and children badly.

   Synonyms: detestable, mean, vile

   Antonyms: admirable

despicable

/ dɪˈspɪkəbəl; ˈdɛspɪk- /

adjective

1. worthy of being despised; contemptible; mean

Derived Forms

• deˈspicably, adverb
• deˌspicaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• despi·ca·bili·ty despi·ca·ble·ness noun
• despi·ca·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of despicable¹

1545–55; < Late Latin dēspicābilis, equivalent to Latin dēspic ( ārī ) to despise or dēspic ( ere ) to look down ( dē- de- + -spic- look, combining form of specere ) + -ābilis -able

Word History and Origins

Origin of despicable¹

C16: from Late Latin dēspicābilis, from dēspicārī to disdain; compare despise

Example Sentences

I will never get over the fact that his criminal convictions, hateful rhetoric, blatant sexism, despicable demonizing of fellow humans and trashing of democracy failed to turn more Americans away from him, but this should permanently end the tired and wrong notion that “we” are better than this.

From Salon

The “Megalopolis” and “Despicable Me 4” star said she waited for Musk to say he was just kidding, but he did not.

From Los Angeles Times

Then in 2020, voters sought change from despicable Trump and elected Joe Biden.

From Los Angeles Times

“If we’d had any inkling about his hidden and despicable activity he would never have been hired, and the instant we learned of it he was fired,” a spokesperson said.

From Salon

Chief Constable Mark Hobrough, from Gwent Police, said Stringer was "dismissed from our services due to his sickening actions" and "despicable crimes".

From BBC

Related Words

• contemptible
• degrading
• disgraceful
• disreputable
• loathsome
• reprehensible
• shameful
• vile
• wretched