The arguments of tyranny are ascontemptible as its
force is dreadful. --Burke.
2. Despised; scorned; neglected; abject. --Locke.
3. Insolent; scornful; contemptuous. [Obs.]
If she should make tender of her love, 't is very
possible he 'll scorn it; for the man . . . hath a
contemptible spirit. --Shak.
Syn: Despicable; abject; vile; mean; base; paltry; worthless;
sorry; pitiful; scurrile. See {Contemptuous}.
Usage: {Contemptible}, {Despicable}, {Pitiful}, {Paltry}.
Despicable is stronger than contemptible, as despise
is stronger than contemn. It implies keen
disapprobation, with a mixture of anger. A man is
despicable chiefly for low actions which mark his
life, such as servility, baseness, or mean adulation.
A man is contemptible for mean qualities which
distinguish his character, especially those which show
him to be weak, foolish, or worthless. Treachery is
despicable, egotism is contemptible. Pitiful and
paltry are applied to cases which are beneath anger,
and are simply contemptible in a high degree.