despicable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despicable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that is deserving of contempt or disgust. Example: "His despicable behavior during the meeting shocked everyone present."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's despicable".

The New York Times

Advocates for criminalisation will argue that "prostituted persons" (a despicable term that denies our agency) will be decriminalised under the new proposals.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is a concerted campaign by malicious and despicable individuals to cause distress to Neil Lennon.

The Guardian - Sport

Meledandri is a whizz at what he does, and previously delivered the superb Despicable Me (the sequel is due in 2013) for Universal, so it's little surprise that The Lorax was able to dominate the US box office charts at the weekend, even if the scale of victory stunned everybody.

The Guardian - Film

Stuart Heritage Winner: In Touch magazine The most innovative use of another human body is indisputably In Touch's honour, for its (frankly despicable) outing of Bruce Jenner – one-time Olympic athlete and husband of matriarchal entertainment behemoth Kris Kardashian – as a transitioning woman.

The Guardian - Arts

And Gru, the evil genius in Despicable Me, becomes the adoptive father of three cutesy little girls.

The Guardian - Film

The weekend session is a troubling 51% down on the equivalent from 2013, when Despicable Me 2 landed in the top spot.

The Guardian - Film

As Laura Miller wrote in Salon: "In Kyle's version of the Iraq war, the parties consisted of Americans, who are good by virtue of being American, and fanatic Muslims whose 'savage, despicable evil' led them to want to kill Americans simply because they are Christians".

The Guardian - Opinion

Disney's musical fairy tale adaptation Frozen won the Golden Globe for best animated film, beating The Croods and Despicable Me 2. The Globes are run by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and voted on by barely 80 journalists – in contrast to the Oscars, chosen by 6,000 members of the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The Guardian - Film

Sadly, we have come to expect this treatment of older women, but it is Kate's age, highlighted by the paper, that makes her transgression so despicable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despicable Me 2, out later this year, sees him stepping into the breach at a children's party when the entertainer cancels.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "despicable", consider the intensity of the situation. While impactful, it's reserved for scenarios where the contempt is genuinely felt and supportable, not for mild disagreements.

Common error

Avoid using "despicable" in situations that only warrant mild disapproval. Overusing strong words like "despicable" can dilute their impact when truly needed, making your writing seem hyperbolic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "despicable" functions to express strong condemnation or contempt for someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid term. Examples show it modifying nouns to describe actions, individuals, or qualities deemed morally repugnant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Opinion

15%

Film

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despicable" is an adjective used to express strong contempt or disapproval, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its usage is grammatically correct and most commonly found in News & Media. It serves to convey a robust negative evaluation. For best practices, reserve it for situations genuinely warranting such intensity, avoiding overuse that dilutes its impact. Alternatives include "contemptible", "reprehensible", and "abhorrent", offering nuanced ways to express disapproval depending on context. Remember, effective writing employs strong words judiciously for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Contemptible

This alternative directly conveys a feeling of contempt, emphasizing the worthlessness of the subject.

Reprehensible

This alternative suggests that the action or behavior is deserving of strong condemnation and censure.

Abhorrent

This word indicates something that is intensely disliked or loathed, often due to moral reasons.

Loathsome

This alternative evokes a feeling of intense disgust and aversion towards the subject.

Detestable

This word suggests something that is intensely disliked and deserving of hatred.

Vile

This alternative implies extreme unpleasantness and wickedness, often associated with moral corruption.

Disgusting

This suggests causing a strong feeling of revulsion or disapproval.

Wretched

This emphasizes the miserable and contemptible nature of something.

Atrocious

This alternative is used to describe something shockingly bad or terrible in quality.

Offensive

This term indicates that something is causing someone to feel resentful, upset, or annoyed.

FAQs

How can I use "despicable" in a sentence?

You can use "despicable" to describe actions or people that deserve strong contempt. For example, "His "despicable behavior" shocked everyone." or "The "despicable act" was condemned by the community."

What can I say instead of "despicable"?

You can use alternatives like "contemptible", "reprehensible", or "abhorrent" depending on the specific context and intensity you want to convey.

What makes something "despicable"?

Something is considered "despicable" if it evokes strong feelings of contempt and disgust, usually due to its violation of moral standards or ethical principles. It implies a deep sense of worthlessness and repugnance.

Is "despicable" stronger than "bad"?

Yes, "despicable" is significantly stronger than "bad". While "bad" indicates something undesirable or unfavorable, "despicable" denotes a profound level of moral repugnance and contempt. Using "despicable" implies a much stronger negative judgment.