deplorable

adjective

de·​plor·​able di-ˈplȯr-ə-bəl 

1

: deserving censure or contempt

deplorable behavior

: wretched

deplorable living conditions

2

: lamentable

a deplorable death

deplorableness noun

deplorably

di-ˈplȯr-ə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• pitiful
• lame
• cheap
• wretched
• disgusting
• dirty
• nasty
• hateful
• mean

Examples of deplorable in a Sentence

we will not tolerate such deplorable behavior in a house of worship

condemned the deplorable conditions in which the family was living

Recent Examples on the Web

So who was responsible for the deplorable run defense in Sunday’s 27-24 loss, a game in which Carolina No. 2 back Rico Dowdle scampered for 206 yards on 9.0 per carry? —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025

The path of rightness only belongs to those on the Left, just ask a liberal, and anyone not on board is a deplorable, fascist, Nazi or whatever else is in their progressive Mad Libs glossary. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 2 Oct. 2025

Advocating for the assassination of political opponents is deplorable and fundamentally contrary to Texan values. —Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025

The charges come after officials described deplorable living conditions in the home, news outlets reported. —Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see deplore

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for deplorable

• horrible
• storable
• adorable

Kids Definition

deplorable

adjective

de·​plor·​able di-ˈplōr-ə-bəl 

-ˈplȯr-

1

: deserving to be deplored : lamentable

a deplorable accident

2

: very bad : wretched

deplorable conditions

deplorableness noun

deplorably

-blē 

adverb