deplore

[ dih-plawr, -plohr ]

verb (used with object)

, de·plored, de·plor·ing.

1. to regret deeply or strongly; lament:

   to deplore the present state of morality.

   Synonyms: bewail, bemoan

2. to disapprove of; censure.
3. to feel or express deep grief for or in regard to:

   The class deplored the death of their teacher.

   Synonyms: mourn

deplore

/ dɪˈplɔː /

verb

1. to express or feel sorrow about; lament; regret
2. to express or feel strong disapproval of; censure

Derived Forms

• deˈploringly, adverb
• deˈplorer, noun

Other Words From

• dep·lo·ra·tion [dep-l, uh, -, rey, -sh, uh, n, dee-pl, uh, -], noun
• de·plorer noun
• de·ploring·ly adverb
• unde·plored adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deplore¹

First recorded in 1550–60; from Latin dēplōrāre “to weep bitterly, complain,” equivalent to dē- + plōrāre “to wail”; de-

Word History and Origins

Origin of deplore¹

C16: from Old French deplorer, from Latin dēplōrāre to weep bitterly, from plōrāre to weep, lament

Example Sentences

I deplore the lawlessness that seems to be sweeping the West Bank with price-tags and land-grabs galore.

From The Daily Beast

They are about to see what we so often deplore as mere sausage-making, and they will love it.

From The Daily Beast

It quickly came to mean, to deplore or to disapprove in an especially morally laden way.

From The Daily Beast

I'm about to quote something pretty deplorable, but not in order to deplore it.

From The Daily Beast

President Obama may deplore that trend, but he seems to have no very clear idea of how to alter it.

From The Daily Beast

This was true perhaps, but not in a sense he could find himself tempted to deplore.

From Project Gutenberg

Otherwise he was all that a mother might deplore or an uncle delight in.

From Project Gutenberg

If it has humour, deplore its lack of thoughtfulness; if it is grave, carp at its lack of gaiety.

From Project Gutenberg

Many of the persons we meet with in the world do not live entirely for it, and are incapable of the conduct you deplore.

From Project Gutenberg

It gives me pleasure, my dear, to hear you deplore the loss of such a privilege, as it is a proof that you value it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abhor
• bemoan
• complain
• denounce
• lament
• mourn