Vile — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

Vile (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

1. not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable

   "a vile plot to murder their political enemies"

   similar: bad, dark, evil, immoral, iniquitous, nefarious, rotten, sinful, unethical, unlawful, unrighteous, unsavory, vicious, villainous, wicked, wrong
   related: base, contemptible, despicable, dirty, disreputable, evil-minded, ignoble, ill, infernal, low, mean, snide, sordid, atrocious, cruel, infamous, nasty, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, objectionable, obscene, offensive, reprehensible, corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, libertine, loose, low-minded, perverted, reprobate, scrofulous, sick, unhealthy, cursed, cussed, defiling, noxious, pernicious, pestilential, ugly, ungodly, unwholesome, banned, barred, condemned, discouraged, forbidden, illegal, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, unauthorized, unclean, disallowed, execrable, lousy, miserable, wretched, errant, erring, fallen, unprincipled, unscrupulous, improper, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, naughty, unbecoming, unseemly, vulgar, dishonest, dishonorable
   opposite: decent, ethical, good, honest, honorable, just, moral, right, righteous, sublime, upright, virtuous
   near: elevated, high, high-minded, law-abiding, legitimate, lofty, noble, principled, reputable, scrupulous, allowed, authorized, legal, licensed, permissible, permitted, approved, endorsed, sanctioned, abetted, encouraged, promoted, supported, clean, correct, decent, decorous, exemplary, proper, seemly, blameless, commendable, creditable, guiltless, chaste, immaculate, incorruptible, innocent, inoffensive, irreproachable, lily-white, perfect, pure, spotless, squeaky-clean, uncorrupted, unerring, unfallen, unobjectionable, venerable, white, wholesome, esteemed, respected, upstanding, worthy

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

   "a vile trick to play on someone"

   similar: base, contemptible, currish, despicable, detestable, dirty, dishonorable, execrable, ignoble, ignominious, low, low-down, low-minded, mean, nasty, paltry, snide, sordid, 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

3. unpleasant to look at

   "an outfit with a truly vile combination of colors"

   similar: grotesque, hideous, homely, ill-favored, monstrous, ugly, unappealing, unattractive, unbeautiful, uncomely, unhandsome, unlovely, unpleasing, unpretty, unsightly
   related: abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, gross, horrible, horrid, loathsome, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, sickening, frumpish, frumpy, plain, unaesthetic, unbecoming, unshapely
   opposite: aesthetic, attractive, beauteous, beautiful, bonny (chiefly British), comely, cute, drop-dead, fair, fetching, good-looking, goodly, gorgeous, handsome, knockout, lovely, pretty, ravishing, seemly, sightly, stunning, taking, well-favored
   near: shapely, imposing, impressive, prepossessing