adjective
despicable
dih-SPIH-kuh-buhl
adjective
1
So morally low or cruel that it deserves scorn and contempt.
"Cheating a disabled pensioner out of his savings is despicable."
"The critics called the film's violence despicable and gratuitous."
How to Use Despicable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDeserving to be despised — used for behaviour or people that are shamefully cruel or dishonest.
Common pairings
a despicable act
despicable behaviour
utterly despicable
Word Forms
more despicable comparative, despicables plural, most despicable superlative
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Etymology
From Late Latin despicabilis, from despicere, "to look down on" — the same root as "despise".