vile

[vahyl]

adjective

viler, vilest 

1. wretchedly bad.

   a vile humor.

   Antonyms: good

2. highly offensive, unpleasant, or objectionable.

   vile slander.

3. repulsive or disgusting, as to the senses or feelings.

   a vile odor.

   Synonyms: repellent

4. morally debased, depraved, or despicable.

   vile deeds.

   Synonyms: iniquitous, evil, vicious
   Antonyms: elevated

5. foul; filthy.

   vile language.

   Synonyms: obscene, vulgar

6. poor; wretched.

   vile workmanship.

7. of mean or low condition.

   a vile beggar.

8. menial; lowly.

   vile tasks.

9. degraded; ignominious.

   vile servitude.

   Synonyms: contemptible

10. of little value or account; paltry.

    a vile recompense.

    Synonyms: trifling, trivial, contemptible

vile

/ vaɪl /

adjective

1. abominably wicked; shameful or evil

   the vile development of slavery appalled them

2. morally despicable; ignoble

   vile accusations

3. disgusting to the senses or emotions; foul

   a vile smell

   vile epithets

4. tending to humiliate or degrade

   only slaves would perform such vile tasks

5. unpleasant or bad

   vile weather

6. paltry

   a vile reward

Other Word Forms

• vilely adverb
• vileness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vile¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English vil, from Old French, from Latin vīlis “of little worth, base, cheap”

Word History and Origins

Origin of vile¹

C13: from Old French vil, from Latin vīlis cheap

Synonym Study

See mean ².

Example Sentences

She is “vile,” several reporters told me after the press briefing.

Read more on Salon

Did she feel even a tiny tug at her heart to leave these three vile children behind?

Read more on Literature

"We know that we have to end this vile trade in human lives," he said.

Read more on BBC

Condemning the strikes as vile and calculated, Zelensky said about 430 drones and 18 missiles had been launched and dozens of high-rise buildings damaged.

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Given that Mr. Carlson’s journey into a vile and very weird world has been well documented, it’s no surprise he’d treat Mr. Fuentes with kid gloves.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• appalling 
• contemptible 
• depraved 
• despicable 
• disgraceful 
• disgusting 
• horrid 
• humiliating 
• immoral 
• miserable 
• nasty 
• noxious 
• repugnant 
• repulsive 
• revolting 
• shocking 
• sleazy 
• ugly 
• vicious 
• vulgar