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

Other Word Forms

• contemptibility noun
• contemptibleness noun
• contemptibly adverb
• noncontemptibility noun
• noncontemptible adjective
• noncontemptibleness noun
• noncontemptibly adverb
• uncontemptibility noun
• uncontemptible adjective
• uncontemptibleness noun
• uncontemptibly 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

Councillors in the area have described the attack as "contemptible" and "a senseless act of intimidation".

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Don’t get me wrong: J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI’s legendary founding director, would view Patel as a contemptible weakling.

Read more on Salon

Kirk’s death was ghastly and contemptible, but in a media environment and country conditioned to move on, its shock is already beginning to wear off.

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They are, evermore, contemptible miscreants like Stephen Miller, little people who are given power because their morals match the lying, heartless, fascist men who appoint them.

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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