Synonyms of deplore

deplore

verb

di-ˈplȯr 

1

as in to criticize

to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of

Many residents spoke at the budget meeting to deplore the mayor's proposed cuts to the police force.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• criticize
• blame
• condemn
• denounce
• fault
• knock
• attack
• tweak
• censure
• find fault (with)
• complain
• slam
• pan
• dispraise
• reprehend
• slag
• dis
• slash
• come down hard (on)
• lash
• kick
• take to task
• assail
• admonish
• blast
• decry
• grumble
• mutter
• chide
• deride
• murmur
• whine
• scold
• disparage
• berate
• moan
• cavil
• quibble
• bitch
• clobber
• upbraid
• crucify
• excoriate
• nick (at)
• snipe (at)
• castigate
• belittle
• grouse
• beef
• reproach
• rebuke
• skewer
• gripe
• reprove
• reprimand
• growl
• kvetch
• carp
• flay
• bellyache
• croak
• crab
• lambaste
• bad-mouth
• pillory
• niggle
• keelhaul
• fuss
• drub
• hammer
• discommend
• put down
• gibbet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praise
• approve
• commend
• recommend
• endorse
• extol
• laud
• sanction

2

as in to mourn

to feel or express sorrow for

a statement from the bishops deploring the loss of life in the war overseas

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mourn
• lament
• regret
• bewail
• bemoan
• grieve (for)
• wail (for)
• weep
• hurt
• suffer
• sorrow
• rue
• cry (for)
• moan
• keen
• sob
• elegize
• agonize
• bawl
• blubber
• bleed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• joy
• glory (in)
• delight
• rejoice (in)
• laugh
• exult (in)
• cheer
• beam
• smile
• grin

3

as in to regret

to feel sorry or dissatisfied about

deplored the fact that his guests were seeing his apartment at its messiest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• regret
• lament
• repent
• rue
• bemoan
• mourn
• sorrow (for)
• bewail
• grieve (for)
• ache (for)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• enjoy
• relish
• delight (in)
• savor
• revel (in)

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb deplore differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deplore are bemoan, bewail, and lament. While all these words 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

How are the words bewail and bemoan related as synonyms of deplore?

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

fans bewailed the defeat

purists bemoaning the corruption of the language

When is lament a more appropriate choice than deplore?

The synonyms lament and deplore are sometimes interchangeable, but lament implies a profound or demonstrative expression of sorrow.

lamenting the loss of their only child

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deplore

Each of these societies deplored and ridiculed the other. — James Traub, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

Just as hedgehogs deplore foxes for a lack of theoretical ambition, foxes spend their time screaming at hedgehogs for missing this or that eloquent detail. — Clare Bucknell, The New York Review of Books, 27 June 2026

The liberal Jewish organization J Street deplored Iran’s behavior, but emphasized there was no imminent threat to justify a preventive assault. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026

Regardless of the level of material damage, Shiites are deploring the physical and spiritual assaults against their sacred landscape. — Mary Thurlkill, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026