deprecate
[ dep-ri-keyt ]
/ ˈdɛp rɪˌkeɪt /
verb (used with object), dep·re·cat·ed, dep·re·cat·ing.
to express earnest disapproval of.
to urge reasons against; protest against (a scheme, purpose, etc.).
to depreciate; belittle.
Archaic.
to pray for deliverance from.
Origin of deprecate
synonym study for deprecate
1. See
decry.
usage note for deprecate
An early and still the most current sense of
deprecate is “to express disapproval of.” In a sense development still occasionally criticized by a few,
deprecate has come to be synonymous with the similar but etymologically unrelated word
depreciate in the sense “belittle”:
The author modestly deprecated the importance of his work. In compounds with
self-,
deprecate has almost totally replaced
depreciate in modern usage:
Her self-deprecating account of her career both amused and charmed the audience.
OTHER WORDS FROM deprecate
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH deprecate
deprecate depreciate (see usage note at the current entry)Words nearby deprecate
depp,
depr.,
deprave,
depraved,
depravity,
deprecate,
deprecative,
deprecatory,
depreciable,
depreciate,
depreciation
British Dictionary definitions for deprecator
deprecate
/ (ˈdɛprɪˌkeɪt) /
verb (tr)
to express disapproval of; protest against
to depreciate (a person, someone's character, etc); belittle
archaic
to try to ward off by prayer
Derived forms of deprecate
Word Origin for deprecate
C17: from Latin
dēprecārī to avert, ward off by entreaty, from
de- +
precārī to
pray
undefined deprecate
Avoid confusion with
depreciate