deplorable

[dih-plawr-uh-buhl, -plohr-]

adjective

1. causing or being a subject for grief or regret; lamentable.

   the deplorable death of a friend.

2. causing or being a subject for censure, reproach, or disapproval; wretched; very bad.

   This room is in deplorable order. You have deplorable manners!

deplorable

/ dɪˈplɔːrəbəl /

adjective

1. lamentable

   a deplorable lack of taste

2. worthy of censure or reproach; very bad

   deplorable behaviour

Other Word Forms

• deplorableness noun
• deplorability noun
• deplorably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of deplorable¹

1605–15; < French déplorable < Middle French, equivalent to deplor ( er ) ( deplore ) + -able -able

Example Sentences

“What they’re doing, I think, to the cities and counties is deplorable.”

From Los Angeles Times

He said that while in Ghana they had been asking for better living conditions since the environment at the military camp where they were placed was "deplorable".

From BBC

The Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service concluded she was dishonest and her behaviour would be regarded as "deplorable" by fellow practitioners and her actions amounted to misconduct.

From BBC

Republicans have been using the deplorable way Kirk was killed to rebrand him as a Christian martyr.

From Salon

Through a family spokesperson, Simon Patterson also told the court of his grief - which has been compounded by the "abrasive" court process and at-times "deplorable" media maelstrom which followed the crimes.

From BBC

Related Words

• dire 
• disastrous 
• disgraceful 
• distressing www.thesaurus.com
• dreadful 
• grievous 
• horrifying 
• intolerable 
• lamentable 
• miserable 
• regrettable 
• reprehensible 
• scandalous 
• terrible 
• tragic 
• unbearable 
• unsatisfactory 
• wretched