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.

Nearby words

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.

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for despicably

And, despicably, they used the memory of the four slain Americans as cover for their election-year political strategy.
How Republicans Twist Benghazi|Dean Obeidallah|May 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As it turns out, they do so selfishly, obnoxiously, and despicably.
‘This Is the End’ Craziest Moments Quiz: Which Celeb Did What?|Kevin Fallon|June 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Craig knew also that he himself was at soul too cowardly to be more than despicably bad.
Parrot & Co.|Harold MacGrath
Of course, in cold blood, I simply hated myself for behaving so despicably.
Banked Fires|E. W. (Ethel Winifred) Savi

I like it in the French style, all but the lait; that destroys the flavor, besides making it despicably weak.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 85, November, 1864|Various
His simple notion of having a home of his own is derided as bourgeois, as sentimental, or as despicably Christian.
What's Wrong With The World|G.K. Chesterton
A number of attacks, some of them of the most despicably petty character, were made against Wullenweber.
The Hansa Towns|Helen Zimmern

British Dictionary definitions for despicably

despicable

/ (dɪˈspɪkəbəl, ˈdɛspɪk-) /

adjective

worthy of being despised; contemptible; mean

Derived Formsdespicability 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

Word Origin and History for despicably

despicable

adj.

1550s, from Late Latin despicabilis, from Latin despicari "despise, disdain, look down on," from de- "down" (see de-) + spicare, variant of specere "to look" (see scope (n.1)).