thoroughly despicable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thoroughly despicable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that is completely and utterly contemptible or deserving of disdain. Example: "The actions of the corrupt politician were thoroughly despicable, leaving the community in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Steel's methods are, however, thoroughly despicable.

The Guardian - Film

"O'Brien is a thoroughly despicable human being — that was great to play".

The New York Times

Another clan, the thoroughly despicable Crawfords, spend most of their time hunting aliens and the Clarkes.

The New York Times - Arts

"He has hit rock bottom, and he uses every possible means, some of them thoroughly despicable, to hang on".

The New York Times

Describing him as "a thoroughly despicable man", Ms Rossington said his behaviour was causing problems for their 18-year-old son at university.

Independent

The coroner said it was not clear how Alromisse eventually found the address, but described the murder as a "thoroughly despicable act of violence".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Brilliant or despicable?

The New York Times

It's despicable".

The New York Times

Despicable — but not uncommon.

The New Yorker

It's borderline despicable".

The New York Times

Rhona Griffiths: "Utterly despicable".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thoroughly despicable" to express strong moral disapproval or condemnation. This phrase is effective when you want to convey a sense of outrage or disgust towards someone's actions or character.

Common error

Avoid using "thoroughly despicable" in everyday or trivial situations. Its strong and formal tone is better suited for serious ethical or moral issues. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your language seem hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thoroughly despicable" functions primarily as a subjective descriptor, modifying a noun (often implied) to express a strong negative judgment. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is used to convey intense disapproval or condemnation of actions, behaviors, or individuals.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thoroughly despicable" is a potent phrase used to express strong moral disapproval. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for formal contexts when conveying intense condemnation. While effective, it should be used judiciously to avoid diminishing its impact. Alternatives like "utterly reprehensible" or "completely contemptible" can offer similar levels of condemnation with slight nuances. The phrase's usage is most frequent in News & Media sources, reflecting its role in conveying strong ethical judgments in public discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely despicable

Replaces "thoroughly" with "genuinely", maintaining the core meaning but with a slight variation in emphasis.

unquestionably despicable

Replaces "thoroughly" with "unquestionably", stressing the indisputable nature of the contemptibility.

utterly reprehensible

Changes "despicable" to "reprehensible", emphasizing the blameworthiness of the action or person.

completely contemptible

Replaces "thoroughly despicable" with "completely contemptible", focusing on the lack of worthiness of respect.

absolutely abhorrent

Substitutes "despicable" with "abhorrent", highlighting the feeling of revulsion.

thoroughly appalling

Replaces "despicable" with "appalling", emphasizing the shocking and upsetting nature.

utterly detestable

Changes "despicable" to "detestable", focusing on the intense dislike or hatred it evokes.

thoroughly odious

Replaces "despicable" with "odious", stressing the unpleasant and repulsive nature.

wholly deplorable

Substitutes "thoroughly despicable" with "wholly deplorable", indicating strong disapproval and regret.

downright awful

Shifts to a more informal tone using "downright awful" to express strong disapproval.

FAQs

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

You can use "thoroughly despicable" to describe actions, behaviors, or individuals that you find morally reprehensible. For example, "The politician's corruption was "thoroughly despicable"." or "His treatment of his employees was "thoroughly despicable"".

What are some alternatives to "thoroughly despicable"?

Some alternatives to "thoroughly despicable" include "utterly reprehensible", "completely contemptible", or "absolutely abhorrent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "thoroughly despicable" too strong of a phrase to use in formal writing?

While "thoroughly despicable" is a strong phrase, it can be appropriate for formal writing when you need to express a high degree of moral outrage or condemnation. However, ensure the context warrants such strong language and consider the impact on your audience.

What is the difference between "despicable" and "thoroughly despicable"?

The word "despicable" conveys contempt or disgust. Adding "thoroughly" intensifies the feeling, emphasizing that something is completely and utterly deserving of scorn. It suggests a deeper level of moral condemnation.