deplore

American

[dih-plawr, -plohr] / dɪˈplɔr, -ˈploʊr /

verb (used with object)

deplored, deploring

to regret deeply or strongly; lament.

to deplore the present state of morality.

Synonyms:

bewail , bemoan
to disapprove of; censure.
to feel or express deep grief for or in regard to.

The class deplored the death of their teacher.

Synonyms:

mourn

deplore British

/ dɪˈplɔː /

verb

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

deploration noun
deplorer noun
deploringly adverb
undeplored adjective

Etymology

Origin of deplore

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

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.

She deplored the way local Native Americans were treated by ranchers and the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Paris Philharmonic said it had filed a complaint over the disruption, adding it "deplores and strongly condemns the serious incidents that occurred".

From Barron's

But clauses which will hand ministers powers to force the break-up of some big estates are deplored by many landowners and their representatives.

From BBC

The European Union and the African Union have deplored the regime's violent crackdown on protesters, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for an investigation.

From Barron's

Why, he asked, is that acceptable in politics when it’s deplored in just about every other field of endeavor?

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023