Dictionary.com

contemptible

[ kuhn-temp-tuh-buhl ]
/ kənˈtɛmp tə bəl /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: contemptible / contemptibleness on Thesaurus.com
adjective
deserving of or held in contempt; despicable.
Obsolete. contemptuous.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of contemptible

1350–1400; Middle English (<Middle French ) <Late Latin contemptibilis, equivalent to contempt(us) (see contempt) + -ibilis-ible

OTHER WORDS FROM contemptible

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH contemptible

contemptible , contemptuous
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to contemptible

abhorrent, abominable, disgusting, hateful, odious, vile, worthless, abject, bad, base, beggarly, cheap, crass, currish, degenerate, despisable, detestable, dirty, heel, ignoble

How to use contemptible in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for contemptible

contemptible
/ (kənˈtɛmptəbəl) /
adjective
deserving or worthy of contempt; despicable

Derived forms of contemptible

contemptibility or contemptibleness, nouncontemptibly, adverb
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
FEEDBACK