deplorable

/dɪˈplɔːrəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈplɔːrəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈplȯr-ə-bəl/ (ame, mw)

deplorable — adjective

  • deplorablepositive
  • more deplorablecomparative
  • most deplorablesuperlative

1. extremely poor in quality, condition, or standard — so bad that it is shocking o

1.形容詞B2
釋義

extremely poor in quality, condition, or standard — so bad that it is shocking or upsetting to see or experience

例句

The old factory's deplorable working conditions finally forced the government to act.

deplorable + (working / living) conditions

After years of no maintenance, the apartment building was in a deplorable state.

in a deplorable state

同義詞
  • appalling

    similar intensity but broader — appalling can describe both quality and shock

  • abysmal

    more informal, emphasises failure to meet even a basic standard

  • wretched

    stresses misery or pitifulness alongside low quality

  • dreadful

    slightly less formal than deplorable; common in everyday speech

反義詞

文法句型

deplorable + noun

be + deplorable

用法筆記

Subject is usually a physical place, set of conditions, or object (housing, working conditions, the state of a building), not a person's character or actions.

常見錯誤

❌The soup was deplorable because it was a bit cold.
✅The soup was deplorable
💡it was cold, salty, and full of hair.' — Deplorable describes something extremely and shockingly bad, not a minor flaw.
❌I felt deplorable after the long flight.
✅The waiting area at the airport was in a deplorable state.
💡Deplorable describes the quality of things or conditions, not personal feelings.

2. so shockingly wrong or hurtful that most people would say it deserves strong pub

2.形容詞B2
釋義

so shockingly wrong or hurtful that most people would say it deserves strong public criticism or punishment

例句

The director's dismissal of qualified staff was deplorable and led to a formal complaint.

[possessive noun] + [noun] + was deplorable

It was a deplorable way to treat volunteers who had given their free time to help.

同義詞
  • reprehensible

    more formal; emphasises that the action deserves blame

  • disgraceful

    stresses the shame brought upon oneself or others

  • shameful

    more emotional; focuses on the feeling of shame

  • contemptible

    stronger disdain; suggests the action is beneath consideration

反義詞

文法句型

deplorable + noun

be + deplorable

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (BAD QUALITY) — this sense evaluates actions, decisions, or policies that violate moral standards, not the physical quality of things.

常見錯誤

❌He was deplorable for arriving late.
✅His decision to lie about the accident was deplorable.
💡Deplorable describes actions or behavior, not a person's character directly.
❌The weather was deplorable yesterday.
✅The company's treatment of its elderly workers was deplorable.
💡Use deplorable for morally wrong actions, not for unpleasant weather.