as despicable as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as despicable as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the level of despicability of one thing to another. Example: "His actions were as despicable as those of the villain in the story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

I find those acts just as despicable as those of The News of the World.

The New York Times

The Koran says that God made those people as despicable as monkeys, pigs and idol worshipers.

The New York Times - Arts

I think they are just as despicable as the other tobacco companies".

The New York Times - Magazine

Having done so, you yourself are as despicable as the person you despise.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

hope that the future [will] not be as despicable as you feel it must be".

The New Yorker

The cold-blooded killing of innocent women, children and men is as despicable as it is shocking".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

At campaign events, Mr. Gingrich rails against the consultants behind attack ads as "despicable" and, once, as drunks.

The New York Times

If it hangs in as well as Despicable Me 2 and beats that film's $970.8m, it'll be interesting to see the impact on Despicable Me 3 in 2017.

The Guardian - Film

Gru's grand criminal scheme, which involves skittering robots baked into the cookies and then ever larger and more elaborate gizmos and flying machines, is as hectic and desperate as "Despicable Me" itself.

The New York Times

Aaron Porter, the NUS president, was quick to condemn the breakaway protesters, describing their actions as "despicable".

The Guardian - Opinion

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton already described their veto as "despicable" back in February.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as despicable as" to convey a strong negative judgment, reserving it for situations where the level of reprehensibility is notably high.

Common error

Avoid using "as despicable as" too frequently, as it can diminish the impact of the phrase. Opt for more nuanced language when describing less severe situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as despicable as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It serves to equate the level of despicability between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, showcasing its role in making strong negative comparisons.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as despicable as" is a comparative phrase used to equate the level of despicability between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide usability, particularly in news and media contexts. While the phrase itself carries a strong negative connotation, it remains suitable for various registers, particularly neutral and formal ones. Remember to use the phrase carefully, ensuring you compare two distinct entities and avoid overuse. Alternatives like ""equally contemptible as"" and ""just as vile as"" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally contemptible as

Emphasizes the equal level of contemptibility, providing a direct synonym replacement.

just as vile as

Highlights the shared vileness between two subjects, offering a more emotive alternative.

every bit as abhorrent as

Stresses the equal level of being abhorrent, intensifying the negative comparison.

no less repugnant than

Indicates that something is equally repugnant, maintaining a formal tone.

as atrocious as

Focuses on the shared atrociousness, using a strong adjective for emphasis.

as morally bankrupt as

Highlights the equal lack of moral principles, suitable for ethical or political contexts.

comparably heinous to

Implies a similarity in the level of heinousness, often used in legal or severe contexts.

on par with in terms of loathsomeness

Expresses that the loathsomeness is equivalent, using a more descriptive phrase.

of similar wickedness to

Indicates an equivalent degree of wickedness, fitting for contexts involving evil actions.

matches the depravity of

Highlights the equal level of depravity, suitable for contexts focusing on moral corruption.

FAQs

How can I use "as despicable as" in a sentence?

Use "as despicable as" to compare two equally reprehensible things, for example: "His betrayal was "as despicable as" his earlier lies."

What are some alternatives to "as despicable as"?

Alternatives include "equally contemptible as", "just as vile as", or "no less repugnant than", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "so despicable as" instead of "as despicable as"?

While "so despicable as" might be grammatically understandable, it is not as commonly used or idiomatic as ""as despicable as"".

What's the difference between "as despicable as" and "despicable"?

"Despicable" describes something worthy of scorn, while ""as despicable as"" is a comparative phrase used to equate the level of despicability between two things.