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View synonyms for vile

vile

[ vahyl ]

adjective

, vil·er, vil·est.
  1. wretchedly bad:

    a vile humor.

    Antonyms: good

  2. highly offensive, unpleasant, or objectionable:

    vile slander.

  3. repulsive or disgusting, as to the senses or feelings:

    a vile odor.

    Synonyms: repellent

  4. morally debased, depraved, or despicable:

    vile deeds.

    Synonyms: iniquitous, evil, vicious

    Antonyms: elevated

  5. foul; filthy:

    vile language.

    Synonyms: obscene, vulgar

  6. poor; wretched:

    vile workmanship.

  7. of mean or low condition:

    a vile beggar.

  8. menial; lowly:

    vile tasks.

  9. degraded; ignominious:

    vile servitude.

    Synonyms: contemptible

  10. of little value or account; paltry:

    a vile recompense.

    Synonyms: trifling, trivial, contemptible



vile

/ vaɪl /

adjective

  1. abominably wicked; shameful or evil

    the vile development of slavery appalled them

  2. morally despicable; ignoble

    vile accusations

  3. disgusting to the senses or emotions; foul

    a vile smell

    vile epithets

  4. tending to humiliate or degrade

    only slaves would perform such vile tasks

  5. unpleasant or bad

    vile weather

  6. paltry

    a vile reward

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˈvilely, adverb
  • ˈvileness, noun
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Other Words From

  • vilely adverb
  • vileness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of vile1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English vil, from Old French, from Latin vīlis “of little worth, base, cheap”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of vile1

C13: from Old French vil, from Latin vīlis cheap
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Synonym Study

See mean 2.
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Example Sentences

Her first celebrity beef began when Snoop Dogg started Instagramming some pretty vile things about her, seemingly unprovoked.

The sex workers I spoke with rightly call it “vile,” “gross,” “terrifying,” and “exploitative.”

They are now in essence a sisterhood joined together by a vile incident.

And Daniel Webster, a great opponent of slavery, supported the vile Compromise of 1850, Fugitive Slave Act and all.

In the case of these vile perpetrators, it is probably all of the above.

It is a vile world because it is an under-educated world, unreasonable, suspicious, base and ferocious.

While he grieved over the loss of our little one, you conceived a vile plot to 'get even,' Oh, you—liar!

Let no opportunity be missed of exposing the true character of the vile and selfish agitators of the Anti-corn-law league.

But she was his mother, and even her harsh nature shuddered before the task of instructing him in this vile thing.

And having not the use of feet they are carried upon shoulders, declaring to men how vile they are.

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