adj

deplorable

dih-PLAW-ruhbl

adj

Shockingly bad or unacceptable; deserving strong disapproval.

"The prisoners were kept in deplorable conditions."

"His deplorable behaviour at the party embarrassed the whole family."

Extremely regrettable or sad; worthy of pity.

"It's deplorable that so many children still go hungry."

How to Use Deplorable

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSo bad that it deserves strong criticism, or genuinely sad and regrettable.

Common pairings

deplorable conditions absolutely deplorable deplorable behaviour

more deplorable comparative, deplorables plural, most deplorable superlative

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The prisoners were kept in _____ conditions.

From French déplorable, from Late Latin deplorabilis, related to "deplore."

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