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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deplorable
She was fired because her findings about the deplorable conditions in juvenile facilities didn’t align with the state’s political narrative.
—
James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
At almost every turn, they were guarded, held at gunpoint and kept in such deplorable conditions that one of them developed countless sores, another could not walk and a third had serious health conditions that went untreated.
—Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025
Migrants said the death was caused in part by deplorable conditions in the warehouse in the coldest winter months that weren’t addressed.
—Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
But such hopes for a prosperous future were dashed by the Macías Nguema regime; the deplorable attitudes of Spain during colonial rule had a psychological impact on Macías, one that helps to explain his demented behavior once in power.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deplorable
James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
At almost every turn, they were guarded, held at gunpoint and kept in such deplorable conditions that one of them developed countless sores, another could not walk and a third had serious health conditions that went untreated.
—Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025
Migrants said the death was caused in part by deplorable conditions in the warehouse in the coldest winter months that weren’t addressed.
—Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
But such hopes for a prosperous future were dashed by the Macías Nguema regime; the deplorable attitudes of Spain during colonial rule had a psychological impact on Macías, one that helps to explain his demented behavior once in power.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deplorable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deplorable
Adjective
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For example, the 1890s saw the Royal Observatory hire women for the first time, who worked for a pitiful wage as 'computers' to examine and refine observational data.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
22 June 2025
-
There is nothing deficient, unnatural or pitiful about being single, as we’re often led to believe.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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There's a tragic kind of symmetry in the way Carmen Berzatto, a guy who grew up in household devoid of nurturing, later devotes his life to caring for strangers.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
26 June 2025
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This tragic event raises urgent questions: What caused such extreme weather?—
Bethany Wales,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.—
Kevin Fisher-Paulson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 June 2021
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My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.—
Tim Neville,
Outside Online,
23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
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Shakira does appear to be the beneficiary of an unintended consequence stemming from her unfortunate moves.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
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The unfortunate widowed Ellen Brody (Lorraine Gary) heads down to the Bahamas to visit her son, Michael (Lance Guest), and guess who follows?—
Chris Nashawaty,
EW.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Bellini noted that hacking operations are much cheaper than bullets, planes or nuclear arms -- what defense analysts call kinetic warfare.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 June 2025
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These Golden Hour Savings deals bring these loafers’ price tag down to as low as $52, which is much cheaper than most leather (or vegan leather) loafers.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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That was a fine symbolic soundtrack for the numbing atmosphere after a game that epitomized a wretched stretch for the Royals — one that is threatening to define and derail a seemingly promising season.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
27 June 2025
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That bubble prevents clouds from forming, meaning no rain, intense sunshine and wretched humidity.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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First came the disgusting pictures of waters so fouled that they were often compared to rotting guacamole.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 June 2025
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Republicans seem to try to outdo each other to see who can be the most hateful and disgusting.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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The wider sweeps are stressing the capacity of the detention system, where detainees have reported moldy food, dirty towels and no changes of clothes for more than a week at a time.—
Rachel Uranga,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2025
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To properly load a dishwasher for maximum cleaning power, place dishes in the dishwasher with the dirty side facing the jets, with taller items around the outside.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deplorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deplorable. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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