Definitions

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

"Any attempt to misuse protections designed for people fleeing genuine persecution because of their sexuality is deplorable," a spokesperson told the BBC.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, Carney said he thought the former Duke of York's "deplorable" actions should result in his removal from the line of succession.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

I’ve always thought the latter has long served as a decoy: No matter how deplorable Homer Simpson might be, Peter Griffin will be worse.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

Booth’s achievement is described in the Richmond papers as “the most deplorable calamity, which has ever befallen the people of the United States.”

From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly

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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