deplorable

[dih-plawr-uh-buhl, -plohr-] / dɪˈplɔr ə bəl, -ˈploʊr- /

ADJECTIVE

unfortunate, shameful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dire disastrous disgraceful distressing dreadful grievous horrifying intolerable lamentable miserable regrettable reprehensible scandalous terrible tragic unbearable unsatisfactory wretched

WEAK

afflictive awful blameworthy bummer calamitous dirty dishonorable disreputable dolorous downer execrable faulty godawful grim heartbreaking heartrending lousy melancholy mournful opprobrious overwhelming pitiable poor rotten sad sickening stinking woeful

Antonyms

STRONGEST

acceptable bearable blessed fortunate good happy lucky nice pleasant respectable satisfactory successful tolerable wonderful

WEAK

cheerful delightful excellent shameless

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Any attempt to misuse protections designed for people fleeing genuine persecution because of their sexuality is deplorable," a spokesperson told the BBC.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Like other reformers, including Catherine Bauer and Edith Elmer Wood, Simkhovitch saw slums through the narrow prism of their deplorable physical conditions, such as overcrowding.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

"What happened was barbaric, deplorable and shameful. We want the strictest punishment for those responsible," said Badshah Mian, managing director of Pioneer Knitwear.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2026

I’ve always thought the latter has long served as a decoy: No matter how deplorable Homer Simpson might be, Peter Griffin will be worse.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

The feeding habits of all these birds not only make them especially vulnerable to insect sprays but also make their loss a deplorable one for economic as well as less tangible reasons.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Vocabulary lists containing deplorable

The Book Thief

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Grade 11, List 4

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"A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift

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