deplore

verb de·plore \ di-ˈplȯr \

Definition of deplore

deplored; deploring

transitive verb

1 a :to feel or express grief for

deplore the death of a friend

b :to regret strongly

deplore my own actions

2 :to consider unfortunate or deserving of deprecation

many critics deplore his methods

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deplorer

play \-ˈplȯr-ər\ noun

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deploringly

play \-iŋ-lē\ adverb

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Examples of deplore in a Sentence

We deplore the development of nuclear weapons.
Many people deplored the change.
Although deplored by many, her decisions have greatly benefited the company.

Recent Examples of deplore from the Web

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation started an online petition aimed at Trudeau, deploring the deal.

— Bloomberg.com, "Widow Goes After Money Canada Will Give Ex-Gitmo Prisoner," 4 July 2017
Vermont Socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders deplored the actions of his former campaign volunteer James T. Hodgkinson, who was killed after opening fire on participants at a congressional baseball practice for Republicans on June 14.

— james freeman, WSJ, "Why Didn’t ObamaCare Make Us Healthier?," 26 June 2017
These measures have been deplored by liberals in the the U.S. Jewish community that Israel relies on for support.

— gwen ackerman, Bloomberg.com, "Attack on Free Speech or Reality Check? Israel Debates Code," 25 June 2017
Over the past few years, a steady stream of commentary has deplored the state of free speech and intellectual inquiry on campus.

— thomas healy, The Atlantic, "Who's Afraid of Free Speech?," 18 June 2017
Russian President Vladimir Putin made his annual appearance on a live call-in show nationwide in Russia, deploring the U.S. Senate's decision Wednesday to impose new sanctions on Russia.

— sarah d. wire, latimes.com, "Watch live: Congressional Baseball Game," 15 June 2017
But some commentators have deplored Harvard's decision as a chilling blow to the kind of expansive expression that universities were created to encourage and inspire.

— jeff yang, CNN, "Harvard's ouster of bigoted students was the right call," 6 June 2017
Aurora area state lawmakers and Democratic U.S. Rep. Bill Foster deplored the budget impasse in statements as the legislative session ended.

— sarah freishtat, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora schools, social service agencies anticipate cuts with no state budget," 1 June 2017
Hearing church leaders deplore violence but refuse to acknowledge that the people targeted were gay, Martin called for a bridge between the two groups.

— eve tushnet, Washington Post, "The challenge of being both gay and Catholic," 1 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deplore.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of deplore

Middle French or Latin; Middle French deplorer, from Latin deplorare, from de- + plorare to wail

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First Known Use: 1559

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deplore Synonyms

Synonyms

bemoan, bewail, lament, grieve (for), mourn, wail (for)

Antonyms

delight, exult (in), glory (in), joy, rejoice (in)

Related Words

elegize; cry (for), keen, moan, weep; regret, rue; bawl, blubber, sob; agonize, bleed, hurt, sorrow, suffer

Near Antonyms

beam, cheer, grin, laugh, smile

Synonym Discussion of deplore

deplore, lament, bewail, bemoan mean to express grief or sorrow for something. deplore implies regret for the loss or impairment of something of value.

- deplores the breakdown in family values

lament implies a profound or demonstrative expression of sorrow.

- lamenting the loss of their only child

bewail and bemoan imply sorrow, disappointment, or protest finding outlet in words or cries, bewail commonly suggesting loudness, and bemoan lugubriousness.