decry

[dih-krahy]

verb (used with object)

decried, decrying 

1. to speak disparagingly of; denounce as faulty or worthless; express censure of.

   She decried the lack of support for the arts in this country.

   Synonyms: minimize, depreciate, discredit, disparage, belittle

2. to condemn or depreciate by proclamation, as foreign or obsolete coins.

decry

/ dɪˈkraɪ /

verb

1. to express open disapproval of; disparage

2. to depreciate by proclamation

   to decry obsolete coinage

Other Word Forms

• decrier noun
• decrial noun
• undecried adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of decry¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of decry¹

C17: from Old French descrier, from des- _dis - ¹ + crier to _cry

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Yet Palisadeans themselves seem divided on the library, with some decrying the proposed use of the rec center’s grassy expanse, a rare green oasis in the charred neighborhood.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The PTC, and other organizations, decried the series, fearing it would encourage more deaths.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But the proposal provoked strong reactions across higher education, with some decrying it as federal overreach and others calling the terms reasonable.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Many counties and school districts have similarly decried the change to the statute of limitations, which they say forced them to fight decades-old cases without records.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Still, some residents decried the ballooning fees, with one calling the increase “preposterous.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• belittle 
• condemn 
• denounce 
• minimize