deplorable

adjective

de·​plor·​able di-ˈplȯr-ə-bəl How to pronounce deplorable (audio)
1
: deserving censure or contempt
deplorable behavior
: wretched
deplorable living conditions
2
: lamentable
a deplorable death
deplorableness noun
deplorably adverb

Examples of deplorable in a Sentence

we will not tolerate such deplorable behavior in a house of worship condemned the deplorable conditions in which the family was living
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The lawmaker has charted the deplorable conditions some of the Jan. 6 defendants have lived in at the Washington, D.C. jail. Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 8 Dec. 2024 But for months, the FDA failed to act on a whistleblower complaint alerting regulators to deplorable conditions at an infant-formula factory that eventually caused nationwide formula shortages and two infant deaths. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 25 Nov. 2024 The state has acknowledged deplorable conditions at Stateville and plans are in motion to tear down that prison and Logan Correctional Center, a women’s prison in downstate Lincoln, then rebuild both facilities on the Stateville campus near Joliet. Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 14 Nov. 2024 Records show the hotel has had habitual criminal activity and it's been known to be in a deplorable state inside. Raul Trey Lopez, San Antonio Express-News, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deplorable 

Word History

Etymology

see deplore

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of deplorable was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near deplorable

Cite this Entry

“Deplorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deplorable. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

deplorable

adjective
de·​plor·​able di-ˈplōr-ə-bəl How to pronounce deplorable (audio)
-ˈplȯr-
1
: deserving to be deplored : lamentable
a deplorable accident
2
: very bad : wretched
deplorable conditions
deplorableness noun
deplorably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on deplorable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!