deplorable
Americanadjective
-
causing or being a subject for grief or regret; lamentable.
the deplorable death of a friend.
-
causing or being a subject for censure, reproach, or disapproval; wretched; very bad.
This room is in deplorable order. You have deplorable manners!
adjective
-
lamentable
a deplorable lack of taste
-
worthy of censure or reproach; very bad
deplorable behaviour
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of deplorable
1605–15; < French déplorable < Middle French, equivalent to deplor ( er ) ( see deplore) + -able -able
Explanation
Deplorable is an adjective used to describe something extremely bad or unfortunate, like the deplorable destruction and loss of life in Japan after the earthquake and tsunami. Deplorable comes from the French word déplorer meaning "to give up as hopeless," meaning something is so bad, there is no hope of improvement like the deplorable actions of the arsonist who burned down the museum filled with priceless antiques. Deplorable can also describe something that is of terrible quality or unhealthful, like the deplorable state of the area under your bed — is that a moldy sandwich under there?
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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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.
The panel also criticised the club's "deplorable approach in its use of junior members of staff" to "conduct the clandestine observation".
From BBC • May 21, 2026
And all his rhetoric was deplorable: He, without any credible evidence, blames the flu vaccine for potentially triggering his SD.
From Slate • Apr. 18, 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
This deplorable incident has made our section the target of unjustifiable criticism, thoughtless accusations, and avenging threats.
From "Mississippi Trial, 1955" by Chris Crowe
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.
