deplorable
Americanadjective
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causing or being a subject for grief or regret; lamentable.
the deplorable death of a friend.
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causing or being a subject for censure, reproach, or disapproval; wretched; very bad.
This room is in deplorable order. You have deplorable manners!
adjective
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lamentable
a deplorable lack of taste
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worthy of censure or reproach; very bad
deplorable behaviour
Other Word Forms
- deplorability noun
- deplorableness noun
- deplorably adverb
Etymology
Origin of deplorable
1605–15; < French déplorable < Middle French, equivalent to deplor ( er ) ( deplore ) + -able -able
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.
Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, Carney said he thought the former Duke of York's "deplorable" actions should result in his removal from the line of succession.
From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026
While local authorities said less than 40 died, NGOs insisted several thousand migrant workers -- many from Nepal -- perished in deplorable conditions in the extreme heat, often from heart attacks.
From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026
That Mr. Mamdani can be accurately portrayed as a culture warrior of impeccable and deplorable standing is not in question.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 3, 2025
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow called Leavitt’s Fox comments “a deplorable moment,” highlighting how senior officials’ words can quickly dominate headlines and social media.
From Salon • Oct. 19, 2025
“Good God!” cried Emma, “this has been a most unfortunate—most deplorable mistake!—What is to be done?”
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
