Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - contemptible

 adjective  Date: 14th century  1. worthy of contempt  2. obsolete scornful, contemptuous  • contemptibility noun  • ~ness noun  • contemptibly adverb Synonyms:  ~, despicable, pitiable, sorry, scurvy mean arousing or deserving scorn. ~ may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values a ~ liar. despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation a despicable crime. pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity a pitiable attempt at tragedy. sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car. scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust a scurvy crew of hangers-on.