despicable

[ des-pi-kuh-buhl, dih-spik-uh- ]
/ ˈdɛs pɪ kə bəl, dɪˈspɪk ə- /

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.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

SYNONYMS FOR despicable

vile, mean, detestable.

ANTONYMS FOR despicable

admirable.

OTHER WORDS FROM despicable

des·pi·ca·bil·i·ty, des·pi·ca·ble·ness, noundes·pi·ca·bly, adverb

Words nearby despicable

despeciation, despenser, desperado, desperate, desperation, despicable, despise, despite, despiteful, despiteous, despoil
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for despicably

British Dictionary definitions for despicably

despicable
/ (dɪˈspɪkəbəl, ˈdɛspɪk-) /

adjective

worthy of being despised; contemptible; mean

Derived forms of despicable

despicability or despicableness, noundespicably, 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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012