Viler

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Characterized by a more repulsive or despicable nature than what is considered tolerable or acceptable
2. Exhibiting a heightened level of offensive or base qualities that provoke disdain or disgust
3. Demonstrating a greater degree of moral reprehensibility or unpleasantness compared to something less objectionable

Etymology: "Viler" is simply the comparative of "vile," so its history is the history of its base word. "Vile" came into Middle English from Anglo-Norman "ville" and Old French "vil" or "vile," which descend from Latin "vilis." The Latin sense was cheap or of little value, and that original meaning of low worth is still visible in the word's moral sense: something vile has been pushed down to the bottom of a scale of value. The comparative adds "-er" to this base, so "viler" describes something that sits lower on that scale than another thing does. Its meaning therefore moved from price and worth to character and conduct, with the sense of contemptibility growing out of the older sense of cheapness.

Synonyms: more vile, nastier, meaner, worse, more despicable

Antonyms: nicer, better, more virtuous, cleaner, kinder