DEPLORE Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

deplore

verb

di-ˈplȯr

Definition of deplore

as in to criticize

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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to mourn

to feel or express sorrow for a statement from the bishops deploring the loss of life in the war overseas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to regret

to feel sorry or dissatisfied about deplored the fact that his guests were seeing his apartment at its messiest

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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 In a demonstration of how polarizing a figure Maduro is, people variously took to the streets to deplore his capture and celebrate it. — Regina Cano Garcia, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026 Regardless of the level of material damage, Shiites are deploring the physical and spiritual assaults against their sacred landscape. — Mary Thurlkill, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026 The liberal Jewish organization J Street deplored Iran’s behavior, but emphasized there was no imminent threat to justify a preventive assault. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026 The operation, widely deplored by the United Nations General Assembly, ended on November 3, with more than 100 dead. — CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deplore

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deplore

Verb

For all her talk of women as allies, Siebel Newsom portrays conservative women who criticize other women as dupes manipulated by MAGA leaders.

— Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Last month, his ally Uthmeier declined to criticize the state party’s decision to limit the debate.

— Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

On Sunday, tens of thousands of men and women gathered in separate sections to mourn Khamenei’s death.

— Marc Smith, NBC news, 6 July 2026
Readers mourned Bill Spoon’s BBQ, which fed generations before shutting during the pandemic in 2020, and Bubba’s Barbecue on Sunset Road, which closed in January 2026 after 40 years of Eastern North Carolina-style ‘cue.

— Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026

Definition of mourn

Verb

Some beachgoers have lamented that Laguna Beach’s policy is too restrictive, and that long days spent on the sand require more shade than a small umbrella provides, particularly for families with small children.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
To scroll the internet during the Swift-Kelce nuptials was to see a barrage of people lamenting the city’s electricity bill, misspent taxpayer dollars, and the alleged tackiness of a private, sure, but very much not secret affair.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 4 July 2026

Definition of lament

Verb

Eight of the primary winners who condemned the Gaza conflict were backed by American Priorities, a new pro-Palestinian super PAC supporting candidates who have been critical of Israel’s military actions.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 July 2026
Lot is often described in the Qurʾān, and in subsequent interpretive traditions, in the role of condemning the men of Sodom for lusting after men rather than women.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026

Definition of condemn

Verb

Activists and faith leaders denounced the conditions at the office during a press conference the previous day, calling on officials to visit the facility and said there had been bad conditions at the facility for weeks.

— Vera Lucia Pappaterra, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Prosecutors call Hearn’s actions a deliberate, violent act causing more than $1,000 in damage, and his attorneys denounce the case as an alarming misuse of government power.

— Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of denounce

Verb

If these rotations fail to get results, will Spo take the blame or will fans forget his history and fault the player who is underperforming?

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026
The lawsuit also faulted organizers for not ensuring attendees did not have weapons, tear gas or bear spray, for allowing attendees to enter the festival from multiple unmonitored points and for not imposing security measures after problems at previous events.

— Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026

Definition of fault

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deplorably

deplore

deplored

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“Deplore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deplore. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of deplore

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