DETESTABLE Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

detestable

adjective

di-ˈte-stə-bəl

Definition of detestable

as in vile

not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency the detestable actions of a nasty little man

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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 detestable Since season 1, Steve has evolved from detestable jock to one of the series’ most beloved and protective figures. — Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025 But the context, circumstances and lack of reflection made his this detestable being. — John Hopewell, Variety, 25 Aug. 2025 But a wave of summer shows were canceled in response, with conservative leader Kemi Badenoch—a uniquely detestable political figure in a country that perfected the form—calling on Glastonbury to remove the band from this year’s bill. — Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 28 May 2025 Naturally, after Mary is taken hostage by Ronald’s detestable rival Jeff, the physical prowess that had eluded him all movie emerges in his time of need. — Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for detestable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detestable

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

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

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

The policy of sending them to a third country has been condemned as harsh and cruel.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Eight men were killed via gassing until an Alabama district judge ruled the execution method unconstitutionally cruel, in June; the Supreme Court has maintained the block.

— Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of cruel

Adjective

The scandal rocked the Cry Babies, prompting some to give the singer a new nickname, Felony Martinez, while inciting the majority to pile in against Timothy and dismiss her story as contemptible lies.

— Matt Thompson, SPIN, 13 July 2026
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

Definition of contemptible

Adjective

The despicable Lindsay Clancy lawyer, using a repulsive alternative defense, shows the egregious chutzpah some shysters resort to to get a client off.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026
In a humiliating ritual, the assistant manager was marched out the door, hauled downtown for an interrogation, and accused of a despicable crime.

— Kate Payne, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of despicable

Adjective

Experts are voicing concerns over the vicious cycle of rising debt and higher yields.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
Verity dwells almost entirely in the gulf between the front-facing celeb being interviewed by Alex Cooper and the vicious private thoughts of her confession.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of vicious

Browse Nearby Words

detest

detestable

detestableness

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

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Synonyms of detestable

adjective

Example Sentences

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