vile

USAGE SUMMARY

The word vile is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is disgusting and immoral. For example, "The dictator's actions were so vile that no one wanted to be associated with him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Within 24 hours of this happening Katie Hopkins posted vile remarks on Twitter about how long the people of Scotland live for.

The Guardian

Meanwhile Reg Wilson, who had committed a vile, sadistic murder and been diagnosed as a psychopath, said he believed hope was only for the weak.

The Guardian

Comments range from the disgusted and supportive to the offensively vile.

The Guardian - Music

Rafiq said: "A lot of funding is going to groups that hold vile views that are not acceptable in a tolerant, liberal society like the UK.

The Guardian

"I've got a great deal of sympathy for those women who are harassed in, I think, quite a vile way at a difficult and sensitive time of their lives," Doyle said.

The Guardian

The headlines were "Tyson Was Arrogant" and "Sullen, Disgruntled Champion" and one paper talked of him using 'an extremely vile expression which should not be used to women".

The Guardian - Sport

No one should attempt to rehabilitate either Powell or his vile ideas, and his kind of overt racism is, fortunately, now absent from mainstream politics.

The Guardian

It was an uncharacteristically vile act performed by a man almost universally held in the highest of regard and one for which he later apologised.

The Guardian - Sport

The nutmeg soap looks so vile that you know it must be great.

The Guardian - Travel

"The PSNI is our partner in the fight against terrorism and the Gardai will be making determined efforts to bring the perpetrators of this vile attack to justice, together with the PSNI," he said.

The Guardian

One is Farage's use of the word "scum", which recalls French president Nicolas Sarkozy's similarly vile hate speech in describing Parisian rioters as "canaille".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vile" to describe actions, behaviors, or things that are morally reprehensible and cause strong disgust. For instance, "The vile conditions in the prison led to widespread disease."

Common error

Avoid using "vile" in casual conversation or informal writing, as its intensity can sound overly dramatic or out of place. Opt for milder terms like "awful" or "unpleasant" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "vile" primarily functions to describe nouns, emphasizing their morally reprehensible, disgusting, or extremely unpleasant nature. It serves to convey strong disapproval or revulsion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vile" is a potent adjective used to describe something morally reprehensible or extremely unpleasant. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, expressing strong condemnation or disgust. While grammatically correct and widely used, it is important to consider the formality of the situation, as overuse in informal contexts may sound melodramatic. Alternatives like "despicable" and "loathsome" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey. Remember that while "vile" indicates extreme unpleasantness, "evil" suggests a deeper, more active harm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despicable

Indicates something worthy of scorn and contempt.

loathsome

Suggests a feeling of intense disgust and aversion.

repugnant

Emphasizes the causing of strong dislike or disgust.

abhorrent

Highlights something that is deeply repugnant or offensive.

offensive

Refers to something causing someone to feel resentful or annoyed.

atrocious

Suggests something shockingly bad or appalling.

detestable

Implies intense dislike and aversion.

nauseating

Describes something that makes you feel sick or disgusted.

revolting

Implies extreme disgust or revulsion.

disgusting

Simply describes something that causes a feeling of revulsion or strong disapproval.

FAQs

How to use "vile" in a sentence?

Use "vile" to describe something extremely unpleasant or morally bad. For example, "The dictator's actions were truly vile."

What can I say instead of "vile"?

You can use alternatives like "despicable", "loathsome", or "repugnant" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the word "vile"?

It is appropriate to use "vile" when describing something that is morally wrong, highly offensive, or extremely unpleasant. It's often used in formal writing or news reporting to convey the severity of a situation.

What is the difference between "vile" and "evil"?

"Vile" often refers to something disgusting or morally base, while "evil" implies a deeper, more malevolent intention or nature. "Evil" suggests active harm, while "vile" can also describe passive nastiness. Therefore, "evil" is a stronger meaning than "vile".