deplore

Definition of deplorenext
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as in to regret
to feel sorry or dissatisfied about deplored the fact that his guests were seeing his apartment at its messiest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb deplore differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deplore are bemoan, bewail, and lament. While all these words mean "to express grief or sorrow for something," deplore implies regret for the loss or impairment of something of value.

deplores the breakdown in family values

How are the words bewail and bemoan related as synonyms of deplore?

Both bewail and bemoan imply sorrow, disappointment, or protest finding outlet in words or cries, bewail commonly suggesting loudness, and bemoan lugubriousness.

fans bewailed the defeat
purists bemoaning the corruption of the language

When is lament a more appropriate choice than deplore?

The synonyms lament and deplore are sometimes interchangeable, but lament implies a profound or demonstrative expression of sorrow.

lamenting the loss of their only child

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deplore The operation, widely deplored by the United Nations General Assembly, ended on November 3, with more than 100 dead. CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026 Saft deplores this conciliatory blandness. Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025 Among the celebrities to deplore the news of Norwood being signed to an agency are Emily Blunt, Toni Colette, Melissa Barrera, Natasha Lyonne and Whoopi Goldberg. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025 China strongly deplores and firmly opposes the move. Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deplore
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deplore
Verb
  • Public health experts also criticized the president for making unfounded claims about highly politicized health issues.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Trump has criticized the selection of Bad Bunny, and rock band Green Day, to perform at the Super Bowl.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • His death was also mourned on Instagram by artists including Creed, Godsmack, Daughtry and Sevendust.
    Brian Niemietz, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The Factbook's demise drew immediate concern from people who frequently rely on it for their work, as Reddit groups for teachers, librarians and travel agents mourned its passing.
    Bill Chappell, NPR, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • At least King Midas had the decency to regret his curse.
    Joe Wilkins Published Feb 5, Futurism, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Here are the five front door styles designers see homeowners regret the most, and why.
    Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Cuban officials have said existing US economic sanctions are largely to blame for the energy crisis, although critics also fault a lack of government investment in infrastructure.
    Michael Rios, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • But Connecticut Republicans — along with some Democrats — have for a long time blamed the lack of ample gas supply for the region’s high energy costs.
    John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Instead what followed was the slow disintegration of a championship core, an inability to reclimb the mountain and the slow, depressing slide into lamenting what could have been.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Two nights after coach Sheldon Keefe lamented his team's lack of mental toughness, the Devils showed some fight, but the Islanders showed more of it.
    CBS News, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The couple saw major flood damage during the same set of storms, with a wall collapsing and the house later condemned by the city.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
  • In an internal memo last year, Prasad wrote that the streamlined method would no longer be permitted – leading more than a dozen former FDA commissioners to pen an editorial condemning the statements.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Rojas was never treated by a physician while at El Helicoide, where human rights groups have denounced cases of cruel, inhuman treatment and torture.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
  • In a 2024 reflection on Hurricane Maria, which leveled parts of Puerto Rico and left many without power for months, Bad Bunny denounces the government's role in the chaos that ensued after the Category 4 storm swept through the island.
    Luis Giraldo, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Cuban officials have said existing US economic sanctions are largely to blame for the energy crisis, although critics also fault a lack of government investment in infrastructure.
    Michael Rios, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • But Republicans faulted her staff for not catching First Liberty.
    CBS News, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Deplore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deplore. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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