deplore
Americanverb
-
to express or feel sorrow about; lament; regret
-
to express or feel strong disapproval of; censure
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of deplore
First recorded in 1550–60; from Latin dēplōrāre “to weep bitterly, complain,” equivalent to dē- + plōrāre “to wail”; see origin at de-
Explanation
The verb deplore is used to express strong disapproval of something. If you really, really hate the way your mom makes meatloaf, then it's safe to say you deplore it. Deplore comes from Latin roots that mean "to bewail or lament." So if you deplore something, you object to it because it brings you sorrow or grief. People often deplore things that they regret or feel bad about. You might deplore the inhumane treatment of animals or the deforestation of the Amazon. Or maybe you just deplore your wardrobe choices from middle school.
Vocabulary lists containing deplore
"Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King, Jr. (1963)
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Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 2
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Vocabulary from "John L. O'Sullivan on 'Manifest Destiny' " from 1839
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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.
Many of the Iranian people, even those who deplore the regime, may support the home team in this fight.
From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026
Critics deplore the fact that the undisputed growth has only benefitted a small portion of the population and has been accompanied by a spiralling cost of living.
From Barron's • Oct. 25, 2025
Downey, who plunged into tech’s moral gray zones in his “Iron Man” outings, makes it possible for an audience to both deplore McNeal and delight in the abrasive pleasure of his company.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2024
The major corporations that responded to AP’s queries said they deplore human rights violations and environmental damage and would investigate.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 20, 2024
One man lamented, “We punish our children until they become cowards and liars, and then we deplore their heartless ingratitude when we in turn become weak and helpless.”
From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield
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.
