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 Each of these societies deplored and ridiculed the other. — James Traub, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 Just as hedgehogs deplore foxes for a lack of theoretical ambition, foxes spend their time screaming at hedgehogs for missing this or that eloquent detail. — Clare Bucknell, The New York Review of Books, 27 June 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 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 See All Example Sentences for deplore

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deplore

Verb

Opponents have criticized using a countywide sales tax to help finance improvements at Marshall.

— Haley Parsley October 12, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
China criticized Lai’s speech, accusing him of disregarding facts and misleading the public.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

The Jimmy Kimmel Live family is mourning the death of costume designer Rodney Muñoz at age 60.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
When the world mourned the death of a beloved monarch in 2023, Prince Edward was grieving the loss of his beloved cousin.

— Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of mourn

Verb

The girl’s mother now strongly regrets ever giving her daughter the raw milk and has tried to raise awareness of the risk—only to get barred from online groups for speaking out.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 Oct. 2026
One might actually regret leaving the land of steak bakes, sausage rolls, and pork pies.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of regret

Verb

But the Amazon and Blue Origin founder argues that some politicians are blaming the wrong culprit.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
Jason Jimenez said the county coroner’s death report found the cause of death to be cocaine toxicity and did not place blame on the officers.

— Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of blame

Verb

An employee who dislikes their manager may lament having to see them in person.

— Christos Makridis, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2026
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell lamented the official's out-of-bounds reaction in the Miami-Minnesota game where Wilson was only trying to help Hill to his feet after he got knocked into the referee, who fell down.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of lament

Verb

El Sayed has not publicly condemned Piker but has sought to distance himself from the influencer since winning the nomination.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
Heated protest and press conference At a heated press conference at the shooting scene Thursday night, several local politicians condemned the shooting.

— Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of condemn

Verb

In her final interview of the season, Clark denounced the hateful messages Mitchell says she's received on social media and urged the soon-to-be free agent to stay with the Indiana Fever for one more season.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Jewish critics accused Mamdani of insulting victims and fueling antisemitism, while pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted a Manhattan vigil to denounce him for not doing enough to hold Israel accountable.

— Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of denounce

Verb

The teachers union, United Teachers Los Angeles, in a memo to school board members, presented a counter interpretation and said the state team exaggerated the crisis and was implicitly faulting justified wage increases.

— Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Hochul faulted the Cornell University Police Department for providing an incomplete narrative.

— Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of fault

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“Deplore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deplore. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of deplore

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