deplorable

adjective

de·​plor·​able di-ˈplȯr-ə-bəl How to pronounce deplorable (audio)
1
: deserving censure or contempt
deplorable behavior
: wretched
deplorable living conditions
2
: lamentable
a deplorable death
deplorableness noun
deplorably adverb

Examples of deplorable in a Sentence

we will not tolerate such deplorable behavior in a house of worship condemned the deplorable conditions in which the family was living
Recent Examples on the Web The girl had not had pediatric care in three years, authorities allege Pennsylvania officials arrested a couple for allegedly abusing their 6-year-old daughter and leaving her in deplorable conditions, per authorities. Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 9 Feb. 2024 Officials also received reports over the last three years that Murphy was housing dozens of dogs in deplorable conditions, lying to authorities and keeping animal remains in freezers. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 23 Jan. 2024 My cell service was 1 bar at home and work, deplorable service. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2024 Things like a child going into a residential school had a greater chance of dying because of the deplorable conditions than a Canadian soldier did going into World War II. Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2023 Who in the world would draft Bronny James with his deplorable stats? Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2024 We are left intrigued and titillated as the film’s tonal zigzagging descends into a delicious, deplorable, rich-person farce. Raven Smith, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2024 These visits opened a window to the deplorable and dehumanizing conditions for 13,000 Georgians then crammed into this state psychiatric hospital. Phyllis Vine, STAT, 21 Nov. 2023 Sanitation conditions are deplorable, clean water is difficult to find, disease is spreading, and hunger is rife. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 12 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deplorable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see deplore

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of deplorable was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near deplorable

Cite this Entry

“Deplorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deplorable. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

deplorable

adjective
de·​plor·​able di-ˈplōr-ə-bəl How to pronounce deplorable (audio)
-ˈplȯr-
1
: deserving to be deplored : lamentable
a deplorable accident
2
: very bad : wretched
deplorable conditions
deplorableness noun
deplorably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on deplorable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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