viler ˈvī-lər How to pronounce vile (audio) ; vilest ˈvī-ləst How to pronounce vile (audio)
1
a
: morally despicable or abhorrent
nothing is so vile as intellectual dishonesty
b
: physically repulsive : foul
a vile slum
2
: of little worth or account : common
also : mean
3
: tending to degrade
vile employments
4
: disgustingly or utterly bad : obnoxious, contemptible
vile weather
had a vile temper
vilely adverb
vileness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for vile

base, low, vile mean deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values.

base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness.

base motives

low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety.

refused to listen to such low talk

vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth.

a vile remark

Examples of vile in a Sentence

a vile and cowardly act What is that vile odor? His comments were positively vile. She has a vile temper.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This was one of the vilest crimes committed by the American government against its own people. Chloe Iris Kennedy, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Soccer fans are, for the most part, liberal and cosmopolitan in the U.S., so Lalas’ conservatism has led him to be called a vile human, a fascist and a dumb far-right puppet. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 The penultimate chapter of The Last of Us centers Ellie and her discovery of a vile preacher named David, a cultist who has turned his people into monsters by feeding them human flesh. Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024 What any plausible explanation must confront is the fact that Trump is a distinctively vile human being and a spectacularly malignant political actor. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vile 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French vil, from Latin vilis

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of vile was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near vile

Cite this Entry

“Vile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vile. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

vile

adjective
viler ˈvī-lər How to pronounce vile (audio) ; vilest -ləst How to pronounce vile (audio)
1
a
: morally bad
vile deeds
b
: physically ugly
vile living quarters
2
: of little worth
3
: very or completely bad
a vile temper
vile weather
vilely adverb
vileness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on vile

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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