decry

[dih-krahy]

verb (used with object), de·cried, de·cry·ing.

to speak disparagingly of; denounce as faulty or worthless; express censure of: She decried the lack of support for the arts in this country.
to condemn or depreciate by proclamation, as foreign or obsolete coins.

Origin of decry

1610–20; < French décrier, Old French descrier. See dis-¹, cry

Related formsde·cri·er, nounun·de·cried, adjective

Can be confuseddecry descry

Synonyms for decry

1. belittle, disparage, discredit, depreciate, minimize.

Synonym study

1. Decry, denigrate, deprecate, derogate all involve the expression of censure or disapproval. Decry means to express one's vigorous disapproval of or to denounce: to decry all forms of discrimination. Denigrate means to speak damagingly of, to criticize in derogative terms: denigrating his works as trifling and poorly executed. Deprecate implies the expression of earnest, thoughtful disapproval: to deprecate a plan because of possible environmental damage. Derogate means to speak in such a way as to decrease the status, high quality, or good reputation of someone or something, making the person or object seem of less value: Fear of change makes them derogate every proposal put forth.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for decries

minimize, belittle, denounce, condemn, disgrace, undervalue, asperse, malign, slam, rap, vilify, traduce, reprehend, discredit, underestimate, depreciate, derogate, reprobate, hit, censure

Examples from the Web for decries

Contemporary Examples of decries

The apps, which Badasyan decries, have their own subtleties.
Sex-Crazed Narcissist Pretends He's an Artist
Justin Jones
August 20, 2014
For audiences outside of the Court, the angry and aggressive approach that Murphy decries might be particularly effective.
The Outside Game of Justice Scalia, a Loner With Clout
David Fontana
June 16, 2014
He decries the search for “velvet-jacketed Bond villains” hatching a “malevolent plan.”
The Utterly Pointless First World War
Michael F. Bishop
May 22, 2013
So Romney has a secret plan to slash taxes without boosting the deficit he decries?
Why President Obama, Despite Scoring Points, Fell Flat in the Denver Debate
Howard Kurtz
October 4, 2012
The Associated Press reports that the president “decries the personal attacks” on her.
Will Sandra Fluke Sue Rush Limbaugh?
Allison Yarrow
March 3, 2012

Historical Examples of decries

It is by arguing from its abuse, that he decries this enchanting talent.
Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 1 (of 3)
Isaac D'Israeli
The women extol and Salam decries the goods on offer; both praise Allah.
Morocco
S.L. Bensusan
And who ever read Thackeray without feeling the greatest longing to see the world which he decries?
Rutledge
Miriam Coles Harris
In doing so he belies his own nature, decries his countrymen, and disparages his religion.
Bonaparte in Egypt and the Egyptians of To-day
Haji A. Browne
Countess, here is the man who counts all equal under the sun, who decries class, and recognises no social distinctions.
The Yellow Crayon
E. Phillips Oppenheim

British Dictionary definitions for decries

decry

verb -cries, -crying or -cried (tr)

to express open disapproval of; disparage
to depreciate by proclamationto decry obsolete coinage

Derived Formsdecrial, noundecrier, noun

Word Origin for decry

C17: from Old French descrier, from des- dis - 1 + crier to cry

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for decries

decry

1610s, from French decrier (14c.; Old French descrier "cry out, announce"), from de- "down, out" (see de-) + crier "to cry," from Latin quiritare (see cry (v.)). In English, the sense has been colored by the presumption that de- in this word means "down."