contemptible

adjective

kən-ˈtem(p)-tə-bəl How to pronounce contemptible (audio)
Definition of contemptiblenext
1
as in pitiful
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust the contemptible thieves who stole the Christmas gifts intended for needy children

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pathetic
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy) a contemptible attempt at science fiction by someone with no understanding of the genre

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in vile
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency the contemptible behavior of the students who took part in the hazing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word contemptible different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of contemptible are despicable, pitiable, scurvy, and sorry. While all these words mean "arousing or deserving scorn," contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values.

a contemptible liar

When is despicable a more appropriate choice than contemptible?

In some situations, the words despicable and contemptible are roughly equivalent. However, despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation.

a despicable crime

When would pitiable be a good substitute for contemptible?

While in some cases nearly identical to contemptible, pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity.

a pitiable attempt at tragedy

How are the words scurvy and despicable related as synonyms of contemptible?

Scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.

a scurvy crew of hangers-on

When might sorry be a better fit than contemptible?

The synonyms sorry and contemptible are sometimes interchangeable, but sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness.

this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contemptible Most people in the anglosphere don’t follow this region, and those who do get their opinions from a small number of people with a contemptible worldview. — Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2026 Your death was preventable, unjust, tragic, and contemptible; utterly contemptible. — Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026 The death of Pope Francis, sadly, has not escaped the attention of these truly contemptible criminals. — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025 At the time, some of LeBron’s critics saw this as contemptible. — Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contemptible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemptible
  1. pitiful
  2. pathetic
  3. vile
  4. lame
  5. nasty
  6. cheap
  7. dirty
  8. wretched
Adjective
  • Herbert's six interceptions is only surpassed by Drake Maye's pitiful start to the season.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Completing the hat trick in pitiful style, Taking on the World was shot on a shoestring budget, helmed by the man behind Highlander III, and forced to rely on stock footage of real-life footballers.
    — Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Definition of pitiful
Adjective
  • The Chargers' offense mustered a pathetic 14 points all game.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • It’s also brilliantly written as a futile, pathetic rebellion by men with zero agency or purpose in their own lives.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of pathetic
Adjective
  • The win of the vile film NZA [sic] at the Venice Festival is shocking.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026
  • Kiju looked at me, took my hand, and walked around the woman and out into the night air as those inside gasped and moved to help the vile woman.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of vile
Adjective
  • Blumenthal hopes to see action on KOSA in the lame-duck session.
    — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Only to see them, after winning elections, get strong-armed by the party, then offer lame excuses as to why.
    — Colleen Kujawa, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of lame
Adjective
  • The New York Yankees were still reeling from a nasty gut punch — a 1-0 loss to the rival Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the best-of-five American League Division Series at Tropicana Field on Saturday night.
    — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Frank Senior was a barber who dreamed of being a singer, a nasty cur who beat his two sons and verbally whittled them down to a nub.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of nasty
Adjective
  • Amazon’s two cheaper models also come in child-friendly versions tailored to whether your child is between three and five, or six and 12.
    — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The audience is full of young people — the revival has continued the original production’s commitment to offering cheap day-of tickets — many of whom have strong connections to the material.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of cheap
Adjective
  • At first the owner stared at him blankly, then flashed a look of distaste, as if a dirty rodent had brushed his foot.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Stephens and several teammates then appeared to taunt the Oregon players and celebrate the dirty play rather than show concern for a fellow college athlete who was lying motionless on the field.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of dirty
Adjective
  • But the warmth of her hand on his skin only made Shawn feel more wretched.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Not one Wrexham player emerged with credit from a truly wretched performance, apart perhaps from goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, who prevented the margin of defeat being even larger with excellent saves to deny Jarrod Bowen and Manor Solomon.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of wretched

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contemptible
contemptibly
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Cite this Entry

“Contemptible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemptible. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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