verb
deplore
dih-PLAW
verb
1
To express strong disapproval of something.
"The council deplored the vandalism of the war memorial."
"Human rights groups deplored the crackdown on protesters."
How to Use Deplore
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo strongly condemn or express sorrow and disapproval about something.
When to use it
Fairly formal — common in official statements and news reports rather than casual speech.
Common pairings
deplore the violence
widely deplored
deplore the decision
Word Forms
deplored past tense, deplores singular
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The council _____ the vandalism of the war memorial.
Etymology
From Middle French déplorer, from Latin deplorare ("to lament over, bewail"), from de- (intensifier) plus plorare ("to cry out, wail").