deplorable

adjective

de·​plor·​able di-ˈplȯr-ə-bəl How to pronounce deplorable (audio)
Synonyms of deplorablenext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Black Chicagoans were relegated to deplorable housing like one room kitchenettes. Edie Kasten, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026 The show is an in-depth, outlandish and witty depiction of some of the world’s most deplorable — and the other folks who happen to get sucked into their manic orbits. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026 Season 2 springboards on Fisk’s strongarm rule and his mandate to clean up the streets of rebels via his brutish Anti-Vigilante Task Force, which rounds up people – echoing recent INS maneuvers – and shoves them into deplorable conditions and cages. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026 The leadership turnover comes at a critical juncture, with the county struggling to increase staffing at the jail, which is under a legal agreement with the Department of Justice to improve deplorable conditions there. Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deplorable

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deplorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deplorable. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.

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

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