contemptible
gb/kəntˈɛmptəbəl/ us/kəntˈɛmptəbəl/
C1
English
~ 8200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
C1
property
1
deserving strong dislike and no respect
So bad or low in character that people strongly dislike it and do not respect it.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is contemptible
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "contemptible" with "contemptuous." "Contemptible" describes the person or thing that deserves contempt (e.g., "a contemptible lie"), while "contemptuous" describes the person who feels or shows contempt (e.g., "a contemptuous look"). They are not interchangeable.
Synonyms
despicable (Very close in meaning; slightly stronger and a bit more common in modern English.)
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reprehensible (More formal and often used about actions that deserve blame or punishment.)
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disgraceful (Emphasizes bringing shame or dishonor, sometimes slightly less morally intense.)
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vile (Stronger emotional tone; can suggest something extremely disgusting or evil.)
Antonyms
admirable (Describes someone or something that deserves admiration and respect, the opposite of contemptible.)
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praiseworthy (Focuses on deserving praise rather than blame or contempt.)
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honorable (Stresses high moral standards and integrity, the moral opposite of contemptible.)
Collocations
contemptible act
|contemptible behavior
|contemptible lie
|contemptible cowardice
|utterly contemptible
|morally contemptible
Themes
emotions
|morality
|character
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Taking credit for your colleague’s work is a contemptible act.
- He made a contemptible attempt to blame the accident on his assistant.
- Their contemptible treatment of the elderly residents shocked the entire community.
- She saw his contemptible behavior as a sign of deep moral weakness.
- Spreading that rumor was a contemptible lie meant only to hurt her reputation.
Learner examples
- It is contemptible to cheat your friends for money.
- Many people think animal abuse is a contemptible act.
- They called his behavior contemptible and refused to work with him.
- She thinks lying to children is contemptible.
- The judge said the crime was selfish and contemptible.
Grammar
Dictionary form
contemptible
IPA
GB/kəntˈɛmptəbəl/
US/kəntˈɛmptəbəl/
Syllables & stress
con - tempt - ible (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tempt)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: contemptible
Word family
Core family
contempt
noun B2
contemptuous
adjective C1
Related words
contemptuously
adverb C1
contemptibly
adverb
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.