it is despicable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is despicable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express strong disapproval or condemnation of an action, behavior, or situation that you find morally reprehensible. Example: "The way they treated the animals in that facility is despicable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

If a thing is despised, either because of ignorance or because it is despicable, you will not alter matters by changing its name.

The New Yorker

In a word, it is despicable.

The New York Times

Mrs. Cheney said: "It is despicable.

The New York Times

— From his 1984 book "Window of Opportunity" "It is despicable.

The New Yorker

It is low, it is despicable and it amounts to stealing water from your neighbours during a drought," he said.

The Guardian

"If this is in fact happening — and it's very hard to get good information — it is despicable, and I think it is outrageous," Mr. Bloomberg said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

It's despicable".

The New York Times

"It's despicable," Mr. Weinstein said.

The New York Times - Arts

I thought it was despicable.

The New York Times

But it was "despicable".

The Guardian

It's despicable," he added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is despicable" to express strong moral disapproval, especially when you want to highlight the reprehensible nature of an action or behavior. This phrase is effective in conveying a sense of outrage or disgust.

Common error

While "it is despicable" is a valid expression, avoid overusing it in informal conversations. Its strong connotation might sound overly dramatic or affected in casual settings. Instead, opt for milder alternatives like "that's awful" or "that's terrible" in everyday speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is despicable" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a strong negative judgment about something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is despicable" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for conveying strong disapproval or condemnation. Ludwig AI validates this. While most frequently found in News & Media contexts, its formality level is neutral, suggesting caution in overly casual settings. For similar expressions, consider using alternatives such as "it is contemptible" or "it is reprehensible" to express comparable sentiments of moral repugnance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is contemptible

Replaces "despicable" with "contemptible", indicating something worthy of scorn.

it is reprehensible

Substitutes "despicable" with "reprehensible", suggesting something deserving of condemnation.

it is utterly shameful

Emphasizes the shamefulness of the action, adding intensity.

it is morally repugnant

Uses more formal language to highlight the moral offensiveness.

it is beyond the pale

Indicates that the action is outside the bounds of what is acceptable.

it is beneath contempt

Suggests that the action is so low that it doesn't even deserve contempt.

it is simply unacceptable

Downplays the emotional charge but still conveys strong disapproval.

it is an outrage

Focuses on the sense of being offended and wronged by the action.

it is beyond belief

Emphasizes incredulity at the action, implying strong disapproval.

it is inexcusable

Highlights the lack of justification for the action.

FAQs

How can I use "it is despicable" in a sentence?

Use "it is despicable" to express strong disapproval or condemnation. For example, "It is despicable how they treat their employees" or "It is despicable that such a thing could happen."

What can I say instead of "it is despicable"?

You can use alternatives such as "it is contemptible", "it is reprehensible", or "it is shameful" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "it is despicable" too strong for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "it is despicable" carries a strong emotional charge. Consider using milder alternatives like "it is unacceptable" or "it is wrong" in less formal settings to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

What is the difference between "it is despicable" and "it is disappointing"?

"It is despicable" expresses strong moral outrage and condemnation, whereas "it is disappointing" conveys a milder sense of sadness or unmet expectations. Despicable implies moral wrongness, while disappointing simply indicates a failure to meet hopes or standards.