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.

The EFL's commission said it was "deplorable" of the club to have used junior staff members to "conduct the clandestine observations".

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

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

While such conduct is deplorable, it is not difficult to understand.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

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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