deprecate

[ dep-ri-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, dep·re·cat·ed, dep·re·cat·ing.

1. to express earnest disapproval of:

   The physician’s committee moved to deprecate the standard American diet.

   Synonyms: minimize, decry, disparage, denounce, condemn

2. to urge reasons against; protest against (a scheme, purpose, etc.).
3. to depreciate; belittle:

   How can companies redress the experiences of marginalized team members whose voices are being deprecated in the workplace?

4. Computers. to cease supporting or recommending the use of (older elements, features, or versions of software):

   The publisher deprecates products after five years or if more than two more recent versions are available.

5. Archaic. to pray for deliverance from.

deprecate

/ ˈdɛprɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to express disapproval of; protest against
2. to depreciate (a person, someone's character, etc); belittle
3. archaic.
   to try to ward off by prayer

Usage

See depreciate

Derived Forms

• ˈdepreˌcator, noun
• ˈdeprecative, adjective
• ˈdepreˌcating, adjective
• ˈdeprecatively, adverb
• ˈdepreˌcatingly, adverb
• ˌdepreˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• dep·re·cat·ing·ly adverb
• dep·re·ca·tion [dep-ri-, key, -sh, uh, n], noun
• dep·re·ca·tor noun
• half-dep·re·cat·ing adjective
• half-dep·re·cat·ing·ly adverb
• non·dep·re·cat·ing adjective
• non·dep·re·cat·ing·ly adverb
• un·dep·re·cat·ing adjective
• un·dep·re·cat·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of deprecate¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin dēprecātus “prayed against, warded off” (past participle of dēprecārī ), equivalent to dē- “away from, out of“ + precārī “to pray” + -ātus past participle suffix; de-, pray, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of deprecate¹

C17: from Latin dēprecārī to avert, ward off by entreaty, from de- + precārī to pray

Synonym Study

See decry.

Example Sentences

The verb "to deprecate" entered the English language in the 17th century.

From The Daily Beast

Assuming that the reverend gentleman was inadvertently buried alive, we deprecate this delay.

From Project Gutenberg

She smiled timidly, as though to deprecate her sister's vengeance.

From Project Gutenberg

But he is careful to deprecate all ideas of violent revolution--the process is to be accomplished by the most peaceful methods.

From Project Gutenberg

"Ask her to wait," the mistress said; then glanced at her visitor to deprecate the anticipated polite protest on her part.

From Project Gutenberg

But the friends of the leading candidates deprecate the mention of names until the candidates are presented by the chosen orator.

From Project Gutenberg