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

In Europe, it was fought against Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler, a tyrant and true monster, and against Italy and Benito Mussolini, a clownish but vile Fascist.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“This vile attack came virtually at the close of the U.N. General Assembly week,” Zelensky wrote Sunday morning on social media.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A ministry spokesperson said in a separate statement Thursday that some entities had engaged in "so-called military-technical cooperation with Taiwan", made "vile remarks about China", and helped foreign governments suppress Chinese companies.

Read more on Barron's

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the "vile individual" who carried out the "horrific" attack, and promised to do "everything" in his power to protect Jewish people and defeat antisemitic hate.

Read more on BBC

Asked about the synagogue attack in Manchester, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch told the BBC it looks like "an outrageous attack on the Jewish community on their holiest day" - calling it "vile and disgusting".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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