deplore

USAGE SUMMARY

'deplore' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to express strong disapproval of something. Example sentence: The mayor deplored the state of the city's infrastructure.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"While I deplore what happened this week, I absolutely deplore what happened... by the same token there can be no truck with drug trafficking," Abbott said in an interview on 2GB Friday.

The Guardian

"We deplore the categorical refusal by the British of Unesco's invitation to launch a mediation process over the Parthenon sculptures housed in the British Museum," the cultural minister had said.

The Guardian - Arts

"People have the right to make their views known but we deplore those that turn to criminal damage.

The Guardian

Innocents will sound horrified but our public life would be poorer without leaks – the ones we deplore are usually those we disagree with.

The Guardian

It is a good example of what I deplore as "government by Twitter": knee-jerk and shallow.

The Guardian

These other people may be quite unlike us, they may be people we think that we fear or despise, they may even act in ways that we deplore – but through literature's prism we are able to view their actions from their perspective.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bear in mind that these are the same onlookers who deplore the gap between "ordinary people" and the so-called "political class".

The Economist

In opposition, Labour spokesmen went on television to deplore "the rich getting richer while the poor get poorer".

The Economist

AIDS is a disease that takes people in the prime of life, rather than in decrepit old age.It is much easier to notice, deplore and act against deaths caused by human wickedness than deaths caused by nature.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deplore", ensure that the object of your disapproval is clearly stated. The context should leave no doubt about what you are condemning.

Common error

While "deplore" is a strong word, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in everyday conversation. Reserve it for situations where strong disapproval is warranted, opting for milder terms like "dislike" or "disagree with" in less serious scenarios.

Linguistic Context

Deplore functions as a verb, primarily used to express strong disapproval or condemnation of something. Ludwig AI confirms this, with numerous examples showing its use in expressing negative sentiments towards actions, policies, or situations. The examples from Ludwig illustrate it being used in sentences to make declarations of disapproval.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deplore" is a verb used to express strong disapproval or condemnation, often with moral or ethical implications. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and very common in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts. When using "deplore", it's important to be mindful of its formal tone and reserve it for situations where strong disapproval is warranted. Alternatives include "lament", "regret", and "condemn", which offer varying degrees of intensity. As evidenced by examples from Ludwig, "deplore" is a versatile and effective way to convey strong negative sentiments in appropriate contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regret

Indicates a feeling of sorrow or remorse about an event or action.

lament

Focuses on expressing sorrow or grief about a situation.

disapprove of

Indicates a lack of approval or agreement with something.

condemn

Expresses strong disapproval of something, often from a moral standpoint.

object to

Indicates a feeling of opposition or disagreement.

bemoan

Expresses discontent or sorrow over something.

denounce

Publicly declares something to be wrong or evil.

find unacceptable

Highlights that something does not meet one's standards or expectations.

criticize strongly

Offers a more descriptive way to express severe disapproval.

take exception to

Shows that one objects to something.

FAQs

How can I use "deplore" in a sentence?

Use "deplore" to express strong disapproval or condemnation of something. For example, "I "deplore" the violence in our streets" indicates a deep, negative sentiment.

What are some alternatives to using "deplore"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "lament", "regret", or "condemn" to express disapproval or sorrow.

Is it more appropriate to "deplore" or "disapprove of" something?

"Deplore" indicates a much stronger level of disapproval than "disapprove of". Use ""deplore"" when you feel strong moral or ethical opposition, and "disapprove of" for milder disagreements.

What distinguishes "deplore" from "denounce"?

"Denounce" typically means to publicly condemn someone or something, while ""deplore"" expresses a feeling of strong disapproval or regret. Denouncing is more public and forceful.