despicable people

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despicable people" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe individuals who are considered morally reprehensible or deserving of contempt. Example: "The actions of those despicable people have caused great harm to the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Where were those despicable people?

The New York Times - Magazine

While not particularly despicable, people involved likely would have preferred that the details like these remain private.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But they were such despicable people that there was something very liberating about doing it.

The Guardian - Film

"The ones that didn't never lost their sense of entitlement and grew to turn, some of them, into despicable people".

The New York Times

Politics is a nasty despicable game and it's played by nasty despicable people.

The Guardian

Claire and Marc Headley were "the most despicable people in the world"; Jeff Hawkins was "an inveterate liar".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Nevertheless, the Internet dress sensation and the horrible, despicable, worthless people who couldn't stop talking about it got me thinking about our relationship with colors.

Huffington Post

We wouldn't expect an examination of American slavery to end with platitudes about the many despicable ways people treat others as objects.

The New York Times - Arts

To ignore the child in the pond would be despicable, most people would agree; to ignore an envelope from a charity would not be.

The New Yorker

"With great sorrow and grief, we announce the untimely deaths of our dear and beloved sons, brothers, grandsons, murdered by despicable, bloodthirsty people in Mombasa, Kenya," it read.

The New York Times

The other driver, this reader deduced, was a "lout" and "miscreant," and the writer helpfully advised: "Explain to your daughter how hateful that type of music is and how despicable the people who both make and listen to it are".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despicable people", ensure the context clearly warrants such a strong negative descriptor. Overuse can diminish the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "despicable people" to describe minor annoyances or disagreements. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving severe moral failings or harmful actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despicable people" functions as a noun phrase, where "despicable" is an adjective modifying the noun "people". It serves to describe a group of individuals characterized by reprehensible behavior. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase as grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "despicable people" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote individuals considered morally reprehensible. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Analysis reveals its frequent presence in News & Media and Academia, serving to express strong disapproval. When employing this phrase, writers should ensure the context warrants such a potent descriptor to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "vile individuals" or "contemptible persons" for varying nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vile individuals

Replaces "despicable" with "vile", emphasizing the morally offensive nature of the people.

contemptible persons

Substitutes both words for more formal and somewhat archaic equivalents.

loathsome individuals

Uses "loathsome" instead of "despicable", highlighting the intense dislike the people inspire.

abhorrent characters

Replaces "despicable" with "abhorrent" and "people" with "characters", focusing on moral repugnance.

reprehensible individuals

Emphasizes the blameworthy nature of the people's actions and behavior.

morally bankrupt individuals

Focuses on the lack of moral principles of the people in question.

nefarious people

Uses "nefarious" which denotes wickedness or evil intent.

wicked individuals

Replaces "despicable" with "wicked", a more general term for evil or immoral behavior.

corrupt individuals

Focuses on the corrupt nature of the people

scoundrels

A simpler, more informal substitute that implies dishonesty and lack of morals.

FAQs

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

You can use "despicable people" to describe individuals whose actions or character are considered extremely reprehensible. For example: "The actions of those "despicable people" caused great harm to the community."

What are some synonyms for "despicable people"?

Alternatives include "vile individuals", "contemptible persons", or "loathsome individuals". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "despicable people" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "despicable people" carries a strong emotional charge. In formal writing, consider more neutral alternatives like "reprehensible individuals" or "morally bankrupt individuals" unless the context warrants the stronger term.

What's the difference between "despicable people" and "horrible people"?

"Despicable people" suggests a moral failing or something worthy of contempt, while "horrible people" generally indicates something unpleasant or frightening. "Despicable" implies moral judgment.