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 Biden administration officials have said the agreement with Iran was the only way to win the release of the five Americans, who the United States said had been wrongfully detained by the Iranians in deplorable conditions. Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 19 Sep. 2023 But given Martin’s national-treasure status, the allegations seemed especially significant and, perhaps not coincidentally, very much in line with his deplorable dentist character in the musical. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023 Dan Linford, the superintendent of Davis, who was appointed after the report’s release, told me that he was surprised by the severity of the racial harassment uncovered, and said that the behavior described in the findings was deplorable. James Ross Gardner, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2023 Another glaring deficiency is the deplorable lack of federal and state oversight. Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2023 Our thoughts on the deplorable decision ... -- With the full sweep of the Edwards era now available for judgment, we’re left with a rhetorical question: Why in the world did Arizona State hire him in the first place, then implement the disastrous ‘New Leadership Model’? Jon Wilner | Bay Area News Group, oregonlive, 28 Aug. 2023 This is a clear and deplorable instance of discriminatory mistreatment and consumer racial profiling. Zack Sharf, Variety, 11 Aug. 2023 More than 190,000 Haitians have been forced to flee their homes since last year, with some leaving the country and many staying in makeshift shelters with deplorable hygiene. Dánica Coto, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2023 In a tweet Tuesday, the group's CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt, said Barr's comments doubting the Holocaust, even if they were made in jest, are deplorable. USA TODAY, 28 June 2023 See More

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 2 Oct. 2023.

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

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