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despicable [ des -pi-kuh -buh l, dih-spik -uh - ] SHOW IPA
/ ˈdɛs pɪ kə bəl, dɪˈspɪk ə- / PHONETIC RESPELLING
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adjective
deserving to be despised , or regarded with distaste, disgust, or disdain; contemptible: He was a mean, despicable man, who treated his wife and children badly. OTHER WORDS FOR despicable
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Origin of despicable 1545–55; <Late Latin
dēspicābilis, equivalent to Latin
dēspic (
ārī ) to despise or
dēspic (
ere ) to look down (
dē- de- +
-spic- look, combining form of
specere ) +
-ābilis -able
OTHER WORDS FROM despicable des·pi·ca·bil·i·ty, des·pi·ca·ble·ness, noun des·pi·ca·bly, adverb
Words nearby despicable Despenser ,
desperado ,
desperate ,
desperately ,
desperation ,
despicable ,
despise ,
despite ,
despiteful ,
despiteous ,
Des Plaines
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Words related to despicable contemptible ,
degrading ,
disgraceful ,
disreputable ,
loathsome ,
reprehensible ,
shameful ,
vile ,
wretched ,
abject ,
awful ,
base ,
beastly ,
cheap ,
detestable ,
dirty ,
down ,
ignominious ,
infamous ,
insignificant
How to use despicable in a sentence What any protester did in storming the Capitol is a despicable act.
In the eyes of their critics they were nasty and despicable but they carried on with the yeoman’s work of civic engagement.
These actions at the US Capitol by protestors are truly despicable and unacceptable.
In my mind, this despicable year kept demanding that I wait, for a better time, until the right moment.
We’re all despicable , and that’s just the way it’s going to be.
And even today there are despicable instances of hate crimes versus Jews in our country.
Then, Gordon replied with, “Horrible behavior,” which was echoed by Pascal, who responded, “Actually despicable .”
Mr. Abe was not amused and on his Facebook page he called these taunts “the most despicable act.”
And demonizing the women leveling these charges is despicable .
But Hathaway, thanks to all of us despicable people, does need to care about being liked.
In an army thoroughly disorganised a good draughtsman with an eye for country was no despicable asset.
For behold I have made thee a little one among the nations, despicable among men.
Very despicable and very prying, he tried to make his place secure by acting as spy in the bureau.
The rumour was whispered around him, and, in his own world, secured him an envied and despicable position.
Away with the empty and impious vanities, the base actions, the low despicable conversations of such a world.
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British Dictionary definitions for despicable
despicable
/ (dɪˈspɪkəbə l , ˈdɛspɪk- ) /
adjective
worthy of being despised; contemptible; mean
Derived forms of despicable despicability or despicableness , noun despicably , adverb Word Origin for despicable C16: from Late Latin dēspicābilis, from dēspicārī to disdain; compare despise
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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