deplore

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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

Examples 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 For Nietzsche, this shift was almost entirely to be deplored. Nikhil Krishnan, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024 Such was the case in 1956, when the Egyptian government seized the Suez Canal, prompting military intervention by Israeli, British and French armed forces — a response that Eisenhower deplored. W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2024 Authentic liberals and conservatives should not deplore the Supreme Court’s long-overdue diminution of juristocracy and the imperial presidency. George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 21 July 2024 In a Sunday night speech from the Oval Office, Biden deplored the attack on his Republican rival. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for deplore 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deplore
Verb
  • American flags are back to full-staff at the U.S. Capitol in honor of Donald Trump's inauguration, breaking from the U.S. flag code's guidelines for mourning a president.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
  • People arrived in the City of Brotherly Love to mourn the majestic ship that’s nearly as long as the Chrysler Building.
    Danny Freeman, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In the two months since the election, some report regretting their choice, as debates over H-1B visas led to a spike in hate speech targeting South Asians.
    Jane Hong / Made by History, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Genta designed the Nautilus on a napkin before allegedly proposing it to Piaget, who rejected it and have been regretting the decision ever since.
    Thomas Wojtowicz, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • For some, from fans to Chuck, Shaq and Kenny, that has become a reason to lament the league’s style of play.
    Mike Vorkunov, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Levy did lament that the legislation doesn’t subject senior Council staffers to the same lobbying restrictions that top mayoral officials would face.
    Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near deplore

Cite this Entry

“Deplore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deplore. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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