execrable
/'eksikrəbl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Extremely bad or unpleasant; of very poor quality: Used to describe something that is shockingly inferior, defective, or in a terrible condition.
- Deserving intense dislike or hatred; utterly detestable: Used to describe actions, behavior, or qualities that are morally repugnant or abhorrent.
Usage and Examples
Describing poor quality or condition:
- The food at the cafeteria was execrable; it was cold, bland, and barely edible.
- They were forced to live in execrable housing with no heating or running water.
Describing something detestable or abominable:
- The dictator's execrable crimes against humanity will never be forgotten.
- His treatment of the employees was execrable, marked by constant insults and unfair demands.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- "Execrable" is a strong, formal adjective. It is not typically used for minor annoyances but for situations, things, or actions that are profoundly bad, offensive, or wretched.
- It can describe both tangible things (like conditions or objects) and abstract concepts (like behavior, taste, or judgment).
- The film was not just bad; it was an execrable piece of filmmaking. (Describing poor artistic quality)
- She found his bigoted comments utterly execrable. (Describing morally repugnant speech)
Variants and Related Words
- Execrably (adverb): In an execrable manner.
- The project was execrably managed from start to finish.
- Execrableness (noun): The state or quality of being execrable. (This form is very rare in modern usage.)
Synonyms
- Abominable: Very bad or unpleasant; causing moral revulsion.
- Deplorable: Deserving strong condemnation; shockingly bad.
- Detestable: Deserving intense dislike.
- Odious: Extremely unpleasant; repulsive.
- Woeful: Characterized by, expressive of, or causing sorrow or misery; also, very bad.
- Atrocious: Of a very poor quality; extremely bad or unpleasant.
Antonyms
- Excellent: Extremely good; outstanding.
- Admirable: Deserving respect and approval.
- Commendable: Deserving praise.
- Superb: Of the highest quality; excellent.
Idiomatic Expressions
- While "execrable" itself is not commonly part of fixed idioms, it is used in emphatic statements for strong condemnation.
- The service was execrable beyond words.
- It was an execrable state of affairs.
Adjective
- deserving a curse
- her damnable pride
- unequivocally detestable
- abominable treatment of prisoners
- detestable vices
- execrable crimes
- consequences odious to those you govern- Edmund Burke
- of very poor quality or condition
- deplorable housing conditions in the inner city
- woeful treatment of the accused
- woeful errors of judgment