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

Example 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 The Chinese company has publicly deplored any military use of its drones and stopped selling direct to Russia and Ukraine, but despite the ban their drones can easily be bought via third parties. David Hambling, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 For Chad, these trends are reminiscent of hearing his dad, a plant worker, deplore his workplace’s ‘treating employees as numbers’ culture. Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025 China firmly deplores and opposes this move and will take necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests. David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025 Fair enough; the market doesn’t always deliver great results, and Hayes is right to deplore the commodification of intellectual life. Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deplore
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deplore
Verb
  • Mahaffey's husband, actor and director Joseph Kell, mourned her death in a statement to EW.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 31 May 2025
  • But while friends and family of the teen mourned her premature death, anti-trans commentators on X turned Fosgate’s last posts into an whirlwind of transphobia — misgendering her, mocking her, and celebrating her family’s loss.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • The 15 Most Anticipated Books of Summer 2025, According to Goodreads Users — From Taylor Jenkins Reid to R.F. Kuang of 05 'Far and Away' by Amy Poeppel Amy Poeppel’s Far and Away follows two married women who decide to swap houses and soon regret it.
    Rachel Flynn, People.com, 6 June 2025
  • Oklahoma City has normally been dominant in making teams regret turning the ball over, but the Thunder seemed off against Indiana.
    Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • The 40-year-old driver lamented countless issues with the No. 8 Chevrolet throughout the weekend of the Coca-Cola 600.
    Lydia Mee, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
  • The author appears to lament the inaction of the U.S. government and accuses it of criminalizing protest.
    Helena Skinner, ABC News, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deplore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deplore. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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