deplorable

adjective

de·​plor·​able di-ˈplȯr-ə-bəl 

1

: deserving censure or contempt

deplorable behavior

: wretched

deplorable living conditions

2

: lamentable

a deplorable death

deplorableness noun

deplorably

di-ˈplȯr-ə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of deplorable

• pitiful
• lame
• cheap
• wretched
• disgusting
• dirty
• nasty
• hateful
• mean

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

His game didn't look deplorable in the Scottish Open, just a matter of not hitting it terribly close and not making many putts and then moving on. — ABC News, 14 July 2026

The malnourished children were found living in deplorable conditions in a 12-by-12-foot room. — Wsyx Staff, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2026

Shiite and Sunni Muslims have been killing each other for centuries, and the status of women in some Muslims countries is deplorable. — Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

The children remained mostly confined to a small room in the house, investigators said, under deplorable conditions. — Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

see deplore

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for deplorable

• horrible
• storable
• adorable

Kids Definition

deplorable

adjective

de·​plor·​able di-ˈplōr-ə-bəl 

-ˈplȯr-

1

: deserving to be deplored : lamentable

a deplorable accident

2

: very bad : wretched

deplorable conditions

deplorableness noun

deplorably

-blē 

adverb