Contemptible — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /kən-ˈtem(p)-tə-bəl/ con·tempt·ible

Meaning & Definition of Contemptible

Contemptible (adjective)

  1. worthy of contempt
  2. scornful, contemptuous

Contemptible (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust

    "the contemptible thieves who stole the Christmas gifts intended for needy children"

    similar: cheap, cruddy, deplorable, despicable, dirty, grubby, lame, lousy, mean, nasty, paltry, pitiable, pitiful, ratty, scabby, scummy, scurvy, sneaking, sorry, wretched
    related: abhorrent, abominable, condemnable, detestable, execrable, hateful, loathsome, odious, disgusting, reptilian, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, revulsive, discreditable, disgraceful, dishonorable, disreputable, ignominious, shameful, base, ignoble, low, shabby, sordid, squalid, vile, blamable, censurable, reprehensible, reproachable, cowardly, craven, dastardly, unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous
    opposite: admirable, commendable, creditable, laudable, meritorious, praiseworthy
    near: high-minded, honest, honorable, noble, principled, redoubtable, reputable, right-minded, scrupulous, upright, ethical, good, moral, right, righteous, virtuous

  2. deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)

    "a contemptible attempt at science fiction by someone with no understanding of the genre"

    similar: despicable, miserable, pathetic, pitiable, pitiful, sad, sorry, wretched
    related: deplorable, discreditable, disgraceful, disreputable, ignominious, infamous, misbegotten, notorious, shameful, abhorrent, abominable, beastly, detestable, hateful, lousy, odious, stinking, bad, inferior, lame, poor, disgusting, dishonorable, meritless, unworthy, worthless, scandalous, shocking, sordid, unsavory
    opposite: decent, presentable, respectable
    near: admirable, commendable, creditable, laudable, meritorious, praiseworthy, redoubtable, notable, noteworthy, noticeable, outstanding, reputable, worthy, excellent, flawless, perfect, honorable, noble, honest, straight

  3. not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency

    "the contemptible behavior of the students who took part in the hazing"

    similar: base, currish, despicable, detestable, dirty, dishonorable, execrable, ignoble, ignominious, low, low-down, low-minded, mean, nasty, paltry, snide, sordid, vile, wretched
    related: bad, evil, foul, immoral, iniquitous, miscreant, wicked, wrong, cruel, vicious, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, reprehensible, corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, perverted, atrocious, villainous, unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous, discreditable, disgraceful, disreputable, shameful, unworthy
    opposite: high, high-minded, honorable, lofty, noble, straight, upright, venerable, virtuous
    near: ethical, honest, just, principled, righteous, right-minded, scrupulous, commendable, excellent, exemplary, good, moral, right, decent, proper, reputable, respectable, seemly, blameless, guiltless, incorruptible, irreproachable, uncorrupted, unerring

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Contemptible

The most common words with a similar meaning to Contemptible:

cheap, cruddy, deplorable, despicable, dirty, grubby, lame, lousy, mean, nasty, paltry, pitiable, pitiful, ratty, scabby, scummy, scurvy, sneaking, sorry, wretched, miserable, pathetic, sad, base, currish, detestable, dishonorable, execrable, ignoble, ignominious, low, low-down, low-minded, snide, sordid, vile

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Contemptible

Words with the opposite meaning of Contemptible:

admirable, commendable, creditable, laudable, meritorious, praiseworthy, decent, presentable, respectable, high, high-minded, honorable, lofty, noble, straight, upright, venerable, virtuous

Related Words for Contemptible

abhorrent, abominable, condemnable, hateful, loathsome, odious, disgusting, reptilian, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, revulsive, discreditable, disgraceful, disreputable, shameful, shabby, squalid, blamable, censurable, reprehensible, reproachable, cowardly, craven, dastardly, unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous, infamous, misbegotten

Near Antonyms of Contemptible

honest, principled, redoubtable, reputable, right-minded, scrupulous, ethical, good, moral, right, righteous, notable, noteworthy, noticeable, outstanding, worthy, excellent, flawless, perfect, just, exemplary, proper, seemly, blameless, guiltless, incorruptible, irreproachable, uncorrupted, unerring

Word Forms of Contemptible

Derived words: contemptibility (noun), contemptibleness (noun), contemptibly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Contemptible

Middle English, "unworthy, despicable," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "despicable, worthless," borrowed from Latin contemptibilis (Medieval Latin also, "contemptuous"), from contemptus, past participle of contemnere "to look down on, show no respect for, despise" + -ibilis -ible contemn

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Contemptible

What does "Contemptible" mean?

"Contemptible" means worthy of contempt. As an adjective, it is defined as: worthy of contempt. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Contemptible"?

Other words for "Contemptible" include cheap, cruddy, deplorable, despicable, dirty, grubby, lame and lousy. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Contemptible" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Contemptible"?

There are 97 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Contemptible". Common alternatives include cheap, cruddy, deplorable, despicable, dirty, grubby, lame, lousy, mean and nasty.

What is the opposite of "Contemptible"?

Antonyms of "Contemptible" include admirable, commendable, creditable, laudable, meritorious, praiseworthy, decent and presentable. Near antonyms include honest, principled, redoubtable and reputable.

How do you use "Contemptible" in a sentence?

Examples of "Contemptible" in a sentence: "the contemptible thieves who stole the Christmas gifts intended for needy children"; "a contemptible attempt at science fiction by someone with no understanding of the genre"; "the contemptible behavior of the students who took part in the hazing".

Is "Contemptible" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Contemptible" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Contemptible"?

"Contemptible" is pronounced /kən-ˈtem(p)-tə-bəl/ and divided into syllables as con·tempt·ible.

What is the origin of the word "Contemptible"?

"Contemptible" comes from Middle English, "unworthy, despicable," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "despicable, worthless," borrowed from Latin contemptibilis (Medieval Latin also, "contemptuous"), from contemptus, past participle of contemnere "to look down on, show no respect for, despise" + -ibilis -ible contemn. First known use: 14th century.