deplore

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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 deplore Since Trump’s return to power, the economic story is one in which even protectionist policies that almost every economist deplores haven’t prevented the American stock market from rising and the American growth machine from churning onward. Ross Douthat, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2025 As this week’s Global Times article shows, China deplores being cast as a lawbreaker. Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025 Surely, Beijing would use its growing diplomatic muscle to isolate Israel and the U.S., demand an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council, and introduce a resolution deploring the two governments that were attacking China’s ally. Leon Aron, The Atlantic, 29 June 2025 In a red-and-blue America, people are accustomed to political parties, as much as many deplore them. Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for deplore
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deplore
Verb
  • The prince was widely criticized for failing to show empathy for Epstein's victims and for offering unbelievable explanations for his friendship with the disgraced financier.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Andrew was widely criticized for failing to show empathy for Epstein’s victims and for offering unbelievable explanations for his friendship with the disgraced financier.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The family is mourning and focused also on driving this business.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Fallon is the second late-night host this year to publicly mourn the loss of a beloved pet.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But her emphasis on greater transparency may also help her carve out an identity as more principled on the Epstein files than many of her Republican colleagues, who may someday regret being too supportive of Trump on this matter.
    Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
  • In an instant, her expression shifted from confusion to regret.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But some Republicans blamed Newsom for the freeway closure, calling it an over-reaction.
    City News Service, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Now, blaming the shutdown, the Education Department is trying to lay off an additional 465 people, cutting deeply into multiple offices.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In lamenting that tendency, Kingsnorth joins a chorus as old as civilization.
    Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Specifically, Fox News lamented that the gatherings mainly comprised Boomers.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This comes almost a year after Maccabi supporters were beaten and injured in violent clashes in Amsterdam ahead of a Europa League game against Ajax, which Dutch authorities condemned as antisemitic.
    Amy Woodyatt, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The Minnesota Vikings condemned the vile racist message defensive back Isaiah Rodgers received following the team’s 28-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In fact, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Reid Hoffman have denounced work-life balance.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The Kansas Republican Party denounced the two leaders of the Kansas Young Republicans, chair Alex Dwyer and vice chair William Hendrix, for their involvement.
    Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There is little to fault with .
    Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Meng Wei, a marine geologist and geophysicist at the University of Rhode Island, says the idea that fault systems near each other could synchronize has been floating around for years and has been seen at smaller fault boundaries over short periods.
    Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deplore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deplore. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

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