deprecate

[dep-ri-keyt]

verb (used with object)

deprecated, deprecating 

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

Confusables Note

See depreciate

Other Word Forms

• deprecatingly adverb
• deprecation noun
• deprecator noun
• half-deprecating adjective
• half-deprecatingly adverb
• nondeprecating adjective
• nondeprecatingly adverb
• undeprecating adjective
• undeprecatingly adverb
• deprecating adjective
• deprecatively adverb
• deprecative adjective

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

A lot of people don’t know that world, so I’m going to have to introduce myself to them and then self-deprecate enough to earn the opportunity to then deprecate them.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s so self deprecating without being pandering, you know?”

From Los Angeles Times

As early as 1989, Gaines had conceived of a show that would juxtapose powerful contemporary work by Black Americans with deprecating excerpts by art critics, highlighting the profound mismeasure of these artists’ achievements.

From New York Times

Now 23% prefer getting local news from social media, even though social media invests zero dollars in its own journalism and increasingly deprecates professional news on its platforms.

From Seattle Times

The latter, with its intro of “La-las,” was unlike anything on the radio at the time and with Holland’s deprecating lyrics about not having self-esteem, it was a song that struck a chord.

From Los Angeles Times