Deplore — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /di-ˈplȯr/ de·plore

Meaning & Definition of Deplore

Deplore (verb)

  1. to feel or express grief for
  2. to regret strongly
  3. to consider unfortunate or deserving of disapproval

Deplore (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of

    "Many residents spoke at the budget meeting to deplore the mayor's proposed cuts to the police force."

    similar: blame, censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, dis (slang), dispraise, fault, knock, pan, reprehend, slag (chiefly British), come down hard (on), find fault (with), take to task
    related: skewer, tweak, assail, attack, blast, clobber, slam, slash, nick (at), snipe (at), beef, bellyache, bitch, carp, cavil, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grouse, growl, grumble, kick, kvetch, moan, murmur, mutter, niggle, quibble, whine, admonish, chide, drub, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, reprove, berate, castigate, crucify, excoriate, flay, gibbet, hammer, keelhaul, lambaste, lash, pillory, scold, upbraid, bad-mouth, belittle, decry, deride, discommend, disparage, put down
    opposite: extol, laud, praise
    near: approve, commend, endorse, recommend, sanction

  2. to feel or express sorrow for

    "a statement from the bishops deploring the loss of life in the war overseas"

    similar: bemoan, bewail, grieve (for), lament, mourn, wail (for)
    related: elegize, cry (for), keen, moan, weep, regret, rue, bawl, blubber, sob, agonize, bleed, hurt, sorrow, suffer
    opposite: delight, exult (in), glory (in), joy, rejoice (in)
    near: beam, cheer, grin, laugh, smile

  3. to feel sorry or dissatisfied about

    "deplored the fact that his guests were seeing his apartment at its messiest"

    similar: bemoan, lament, regret, repent, rue
    related: ache (for), bewail, grieve (for), mourn, sorrow (for)
    near: delight (in), enjoy, relish, revel (in), savor

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Deplore

The most common words with a similar meaning to Deplore:

Slang: dis
Chiefly British: slag
blame, censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, dispraise, fault, knock, pan, reprehend, bemoan, bewail, grieve (for), lament, mourn, wail (for), regret, repent, rue, come down hard (on), find fault (with), take to task

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Deplore

Words with the opposite meaning of Deplore:

extol, laud, praise, delight, exult (in), glory (in), joy, rejoice (in)

Related Words for Deplore

skewer, tweak, assail, attack, blast, clobber, slam, slash, nick (at), snipe (at), beef, bellyache, bitch, carp, cavil, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grouse, growl, grumble, kick, kvetch, moan, murmur, mutter, niggle, quibble

Near Antonyms of Deplore

approve, commend, endorse, recommend, sanction, beam, cheer, grin, laugh, smile, delight (in), enjoy, relish, revel (in), savor

Word Forms of Deplore

Inflections: deplored, deploring

Derived words: deplorer (noun), deploringly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Deplore

Middle French or Latin; Middle French deplorer, from Latin deplorare, from de- + plorare to wail

First known use: 1559

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Deplore

Frequently Asked Questions about Deplore

What does "Deplore" mean?

"Deplore" means to feel or express grief for. As a verb, it is defined as: to feel or express grief for. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Deplore"?

Other words for "Deplore" include blame, censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, dis, dispraise and fault. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Deplore" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Deplore"?

There are 96 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Deplore". Common alternatives include blame, censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, dis, dispraise, fault, knock and pan.

What is the opposite of "Deplore"?

Antonyms of "Deplore" include extol, laud, praise, delight, exult (in), glory (in), joy and rejoice (in). Near antonyms include approve, commend, endorse and recommend.

How do you use "Deplore" in a sentence?

Examples of "Deplore" in a sentence: "Many residents spoke at the budget meeting to deplore the mayor's proposed cuts to the police force."; "a statement from the bishops deploring the loss of life in the war overseas"; "deplored the fact that his guests were seeing his apartment at its messiest".

Is "Deplore" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Deplore" is a verb.

Is "Deplore" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Deplore" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Deplore"?

"Deplore" is pronounced /di-ˈplȯr/ and divided into syllables as de·plore.