deprecate

American  

[dep-ri-keyt] / ˈdɛp rɪˌkeɪt /

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.

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deprecate British  

/ 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

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Commonly Confused

See depreciate

Related Words

See decry.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of deprecate

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; see de-, pray, -ate ¹

Explanation

To deprecate is to show disapproval or to make someone feel unimportant by speaking to them disrespectfully, like seniors who deprecate younger students just for fun. To deprecate is to diminish, or to oppose, like when someone deprecates your dream of climbing Mt. Everest by calling it "a little walk up a hill." Some people deprecate themselves, which is called being self-deprecating. People who are self-deprecating downplay their abilities because they are humble — or want to appear that way. So if you do climb Everest and you are self-deprecating, you'll say it wasn't such a big deal, even if it was the proudest moment of your life.

Example Sentences

Deprecate used to mean “ward off by prayer,” meticulous once meant “timid,” and silly went from “blessed” to “pious” to “innocent” to “pitiable” to “feeble” to today’s “foolish.”

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Deprecate their wrath! avoid their poisoned shafts, or they will infect tiny peace: will blast thy honour. 

From The Life and Adventures of Baron Trenck, Volume 2 by Holcroft, Thomas

Deprecate, dep′re-kāt, v.t. to try to ward off by prayer: to desire earnestly the prevention or removal of: to regret deeply: to argue against.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

Deprecate personal objection to expulsion, but suggest that such a course might, by preventing your getting employment in the Church, Army, or Bar, lead to your being on your parents' hands for life.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 104, April 8, 1893 by Burnand, F. C. (Francis Cowley), Sir