contemptible

comparative more contemptible · superlative most contemptible · alternative archaic nonstandard contemptable

1. Deserving contempt.

   Miss Ward's match, indeed, when it came to the point, was not contemptible: Sir Thomas being happily able to give his friend an income in the living of Mansfield […]

   1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter I, in Mansfield Park: […], volume I, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 2

   2 more examples

   But a Devil came in juſt in the God-ſpeed, and told them; Gentlemen Philoſophers, (ſays he) if you vvould knovv the VVretched'ſt, and moſt contemptible thing in the VVorld; It is an Alchymiſt: […]

   1667, Francisco de Quevedo Villegas, “The Sixth Vision of Hell”, in R[oger] L[’Estrange], transl., The Visions of Dom Francisco de Quevedo Villegas, […], London: […] H[enry] Herringman […], →OCLC, page 247

   And they are dangerous because when worn they make their wearer look ridiculous and contemptible to those not enthralled by the same fashion; and when their moment has passed they take up precious closet space, taunting you and making you lament of money that should have been spent on something more longevous.

   2006, Nicholas Antongiavanni [pseudonym; Michael Anton], The Suit: A Machiavellian Approach to Men's Style, New York: HarperCollins Publishers, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 52

   Synonyms: despicable, disdainable, hateworthy, abject, filthy, base, beggarly, blameworthy · Antonyms: respectable, venerable

2. obsoleteCarrying or having contempt; contemptuous.

   But what a contemptible notion must he entertain of this House!

   1874, John Campbell, Lives of the Lord Chancellors and Keepers of the Great Seal of England, volume 5

   2 more examples

   One of the above petitioners had frequently praised Edward in the presence of Robert; but it was evidently disliked by the latter, and always drew from him some contemptible remark reflecting on the humility of his origin.

   1846, The Cooper's Son

   Don't use vulgar curses; you should not be contemptible towards the Court.

   1882, Bahrāmjī Mehrbānjī Malabārī, anonymous quotee, Gujarát and the Gujarátes