Deplore
/dɪˈplɔːr/
verbC1
Definition
Deplore means to feel very sorry or upset about something wrong or bad. It is often used when someone expresses strong sadness or dislike for actions, events, or behaviors that they think are wrong or harmful. People use "deplore" to show strong disapproval or regret.
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⚡ See It in Action
To feel or express strong sadness or disapproval about something
- •Many people deplore the destruction of nature.
- •The organization deplores violence against children.
- •She deplored the unfair treatment of workers.
To publicly express strong disapproval
- •The government deplored the recent attacks.
- •Leaders deplored the rise in crime rates.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "deplore" like "not like" or "dislike," but much stronger and more serious—like being very upset or sad about something
- ✓Picture someone shaking their head sadly and saying "This is very bad!" when they see something wrong
- ✓It's the feeling you have when you see unfairness or something harmful and wish it would stop
- ✓Sounds like "dee-PLOR" → imagine someone saying "Deep 'poor' feeling" because they feel deeply sorry or upset
- ✓Think of a news reporter who says, "We deplore the violence in the city," showing strong sadness and disapproval
- ✓NOT like "like" or "dislike" (which can be mild), "deplore" is strong and serious disapproval
- ✓NOT like "hate" (which is angry or emotional), "deplore" is more about sadness and regret than anger
- ✓NOT like "ignore" (no feeling), "deplore" shows strong feeling about something bad
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Condemn: to say something is very bad or wrong (Use when you want to show strong disapproval, often in official or public statements)
- •Disapprove: to not agree with or like something (Use for milder feelings of dislike or disagreement)
- •Lament: to feel or express sadness, often about loss (Use when focusing on sadness rather than moral judgment)
- •Criticize: to say what is wrong with something (Use when focusing on pointing out faults)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Prefix: "de-" meaning "down" or "away"
- •Root: "plore" from Latin "plorare," meaning "to cry out" or "to lament"
- •Etymology: From Latin "deplorare," meaning to cry out loudly or lament strongly
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s in English to mean expressing strong sadness or disapproval
- •Modern usage: Used mostly in formal or serious contexts to show strong regret or disapproval about bad actions or events
💭 Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you strongly deplored something you saw or heard? What made it so upsetting?
•How is deploring different from just being unhappy or annoyed about something?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.People deplore ___ when they see harm done to innocent animals.
2.The community deplores the ___ of their historic buildings.
3.Unlike "dislike," to deplore something means to feel ___ sadness or disapproval.
4.Leaders often deplore ___ actions in public speeches to show strong disapproval.
5.When someone deplores a situation, they usually want ___ to change or stop it.
6.She did not just dislike the decision; she deeply deplored ___ it was unfair.
7.To deplore something is to express ___ feelings about it, not to ignore or accept it.