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deplorable

adjective

di-ˈplȯr-ə-bəl How to pronounce deplorable (audio)
Definition of deplorablenext
1
as in pitiful
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust we will not tolerate such deplorable behavior in a house of worship

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tragic
of a kind to cause great distress condemned the deplorable conditions in which the family was living

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of deplorable 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 Hospital reconstruction in Cuba The second phase would focus more on rebuilding hospitals and medical centers on the island, which are in a deplorable state. — Sarah Moreno july 1, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for deplorable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deplorable
  1. pitiful
  2. tragic
  3. lame
  4. unfortunate
  5. cheap
  6. wretched
  7. disgusting
  8. dirty
Adjective
  • Completing the hat trick in pitiful style, Taking on the World was shot on a shoestring budget, helmed by the man behind Highlander III, and forced to rely on stock footage of real-life footballers.
    — Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026
  • Given the national team’s pitiful demise at the Oval, with New Zealand completing victory on the fifth morning, Ben Stokes’ revival in absentia feels like the only consolation from a miserable week.
    — Hector Vickers, New York Times, 21 June 2026
Definition of pitiful
Adjective
  • Singer discussed their tragic loss in the wake of news that Jamie Lee Curtis will be honored by the inaugural Michele and Rob Reiner Champion for Change Award.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Tor is a remote mountain community where tragic events took place that remain unsolved to this day.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of tragic
Adjective
  • Supporters hope for a vote during the post-election lame-duck session, potentially as part of a year-end package.
    — Shira Lazar, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Even as Swift shines in the light of holy matrimony, there are still plenty of lame dudes out there for Taylor to crush across three-minute pop masterstrokes — and, God-willing, there always will be.
    — Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of lame
Adjective
  • These unfortunate souls were supposed to stay in their birthplace, hoping church charity would sustain them.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Artistic but flighty, Deborah ends up at her parents’ alma mater when an unfortunate incident gets her NYU Tisch School of the Arts acceptance rescinded.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of unfortunate
Adjective
  • As the currency appreciates, imports — which play a significant role in the economy — become cheaper.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026
  • About seven months ago, the average 30-year mortgage rate briefly dipped below 6% for the first time in years, prompting hopes that cheaper borrowing would finally unfreeze the housing market.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of cheap
Adjective
  • But, for Iñárritu, the wretched state of the world has always been more of a starting point, a baseline narrative assumption, than a determinant or register of mood.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Not one Wrexham player emerged with credit from a truly wretched performance, apart perhaps from goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, who prevented the margin of defeat being even larger with excellent saves to deny Jarrod Bowen and Manor Solomon.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of wretched
Adjective
  • The better to act out empire’s idea of what disgusting demonic sickness looks like.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
  • These guys are disgusting over the radio in the heat of battle.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • At almost any hour, someone is settling in for a caffeine fix, a glass of wine, or one more dirty martini.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Muddy kids’ clothes, workwear or especially dirty towels can benefit from the extra thermal energy that helps detergent loosen and lift ground-in soil.
    — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of dirty

Browse Nearby Words

depletions
deplorable
deplorableness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deplorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deplorable. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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