morally despicable

USAGE SUMMARY

'morally despicable' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action or attitude which is judged to be morally wrong and inexcusable. For example, "The act of cheating on an exam is morally despicable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

On this view we can more accurately, and less perniciously, understand and describe morally despicable actions, characters, and events using more pedestrian moral concepts such as badness and wrongdoing.

SEP

Peddling forged certificates was, he admitted, "morally despicable".

The Telegraph

But many — indeed, almost all — morally despicable things are not crimes.

The New Yorker

Do you think it's possible for this man to have been morally despicable earlier in his life, and yet to be a likable character now?

The New Yorker

But in a chapter near the middle of the book, "The Sex Lives of Islamic Extremists," Rachman introduces a character not just morally despicable but also profoundly annoying.

The New Yorker

Hopkins was morally despicable in the day-to-day, but compared with the monsters he fought in the neon-drench of underworld Los Angeles, he was quasi-­angelic.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"To think that ISS has at some point had a meeting and decided to take a week's pay off low-paid staff and keep it is beyond despicable morally," said the man, who said he and others did not sufficiently trust the company to take up its offer of a loan.

The Guardian - Business

(I find the actions of those who knew and did not contact the police to be despicable and morally bereft as well).

Huffington Post

Echoing his profession's view, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian James Truslow Adams called Stevens "perhaps the most despicable, malevolent, and morally deformed character who has risen to high power in America".

Huffington Post

The most despicable media reps are the morally dead moralizers who profess outrage that anyone would try to "politicize" the Las Vegas massacre.

Huffington Post

Morally, Philby's betrayal of this secret was despicable.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "morally despicable" to express strong disapproval of actions that violate fundamental moral principles. For instance, "Exploiting vulnerable people for personal gain is a "morally despicable" act."

Common error

Avoid using "morally despicable" to describe minor offenses or disagreements. This phrase carries significant weight and should be reserved for truly egregious moral violations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "morally despicable" functions as an evaluative adjective phrase, typically used to express strong condemnation or disapproval of an action, behavior, or character. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "morally despicable" is a potent adjective phrase used to express intense moral disapproval. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, noting its occurrence across news, academic, and literary contexts. While grammatically straightforward, its impact lies in the strength of its condemnation, best reserved for actions that profoundly violate moral principles. Be mindful of its weight, opting for milder alternatives like "morally wrong" or "ethically questionable" in less severe situations. Employ "morally despicable" judiciously to maintain its force and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

morally reprehensible

Similar in meaning, but may imply a stronger sense of condemnation.

morally repugnant

Focuses on the feeling of disgust and aversion caused by the action.

morally abhorrent

Emphasizes the feeling of revulsion and strong disapproval.

ethically indefensible

Shifts the focus to ethical principles rather than general morality.

utterly contemptible

Highlights the lack of worthiness and deserving of scorn.

thoroughly detestable

Indicates a strong feeling of dislike and aversion.

morally indefensible

States that there is no moral justification.

morally wrong

A more general term indicating a violation of moral principles.

unconscionable act

Highlights the shocking and unacceptable nature of the act.

beyond the pale

An idiom suggesting the action is outside the bounds of acceptable behavior.

FAQs

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

Use "morally despicable" to describe actions or behaviors that are considered extremely wrong and unacceptable from a moral standpoint. For example, "The politician's corruption was a "morally despicable" act."

What are some synonyms for "morally despicable"?

Alternatives include "morally reprehensible", "morally repugnant", or "ethically indefensible", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "morally despicable"?

It is appropriate to use the phrase when describing actions or decisions that are not only wrong but also deeply offensive to moral principles and values. Consider if the action causes significant harm or violates fundamental rights.

What is the difference between "morally despicable" and "morally wrong"?

"Morally wrong" is a general term for actions that violate moral standards. "Morally despicable" implies a much stronger level of condemnation, suggesting that the action is particularly offensive or disgusting from a moral perspective.