deplorable

[dih-plawr-uh-buhl, -plohr-] / dɪˈplɔr ə bəl, -ˈploʊr- /

ADJECTIVE

unfortunate, shameful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dire disastrous disgraceful distressing dreadful grievous horrifying intolerable lamentable miserable regrettable reprehensible scandalous terrible tragic unbearable unsatisfactory wretched

WEAK

afflictive awful blameworthy bummer calamitous dirty dishonorable disreputable dolorous downer execrable faulty godawful grim heartbreaking heartrending lousy melancholy mournful opprobrious overwhelming pitiable poor rotten sad sickening stinking woeful

Antonyms

STRONGEST

acceptable bearable blessed fortunate good happy lucky nice pleasant respectable satisfactory successful tolerable wonderful

WEAK

cheerful delightful excellent shameless

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.

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

Like other reformers, including Catherine Bauer and Edith Elmer Wood, Simkhovitch saw slums through the narrow prism of their deplorable physical conditions, such as overcrowding.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 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

"Whoever committed this deplorable wildlife crime should hang their heads in shame."

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

“Good God!” cried Emma, “this has been a most unfortunate—most deplorable mistake!—What is to be done?”

From "Emma" by Jane Austen

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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