Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Deserving strong condemnation or severe criticism: Used to describe actions, behaviors, or situations that are shockingly bad, morally wrong, or unacceptable.
   • Extremely bad or poor in quality or condition: Used to describe something that is in a very bad, wretched, or miserable state.
   • Causing or expressing sorrow or regret: Used to describe something that is unfortunate, lamentable, or pitiable.

Usage Examples

• Deserving condemnation:
  • The dictator's deplorable human rights record drew international criticism.
  • It is deplorable that such poverty still exists in a wealthy nation.
• Extremely poor in quality/condition:
  • After the storm, the roads were in a deplorable state.
  • The refugees were living in deplorable conditions without clean water.
• Causing sorrow or regret:
  • It is a deplorable loss for the entire scientific community.
  • The team's deplorable performance led to their elimination from the tournament.

Advanced Usage

• "deplorably" (adverb): In a manner that deserves strong condemnation or is extremely bad.
  • The system has failed these children deplorably.
• "deplorableness" (noun): The state or quality of being deplorable. (Less common)
  • The sheer deplorableness of the act left everyone speechless.

Variants and Related Words

• Deplore (verb): To feel or express strong disapproval of something; to regret deeply.
  • We deplore all acts of violence.
• Deploringly (adverb): In a manner expressing condemnation or regret.
  • She shook her head deploringly at the news.

Synonyms

• Reprehensible: Deserving censure or condemnation.
• Lamentable: Deserving grief or regret; regrettable.
• Woeful: Characterized by, expressive of, or causing sorrow or misery.
• Execrable: Extremely bad or unpleasant.
• Appalling: Causing shock or dismay; horrific.

Antonyms

• Commendable: Deserving praise.
• Admirable: Arousing or deserving respect and approval.
• Excellent: Extremely good; outstanding.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• A deplorable state of affairs: A situation that is very bad and regrettable.
  • The corruption scandal revealed a deplorable state of affairs within the government.
• Nothing short of deplorable: An emphatic way to say something is completely and utterly deplorable.
  • The neglect shown to the elderly patients was nothing short of deplorable.

Adjective

1. bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
   • a criminal waste of talent
   • a deplorable act of violence
   • adultery is as reprehensible for a husband as for a wife
2. of very poor quality or condition
   • deplorable housing conditions in the inner city
   • woeful treatment of the accused
   • woeful errors of judgment
3. bad; unfortunate
   • my finances were in a deplorable state
   • a lamentable decision
   • her clothes were in sad shape
   • a sorry state of affairs