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
• undecried adjective
• decrial noun

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

In the early 1960s, Ames faced fierce opposition from civic groups, who decried modernism as a threat to Balboa Park’s Spanish heart.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Like some of her real-world counterparts, Madame M. is essentially a chief disinformation officer more interested in supplying untruth than decrying it.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Both ventures were decried as money grabs, though LIV endured sharper criticism because it was underwritten by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In a statement, the Islamist militant group also decried the establishment of an international force whose "mission includes the disarmament" of Palestinian groups in Gaza.

Read more on Barron's

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions last week, Sir Keir insisted that he "never authorised" attacks on his cabinet ministers, and decried such events as "unacceptable".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• belittle 
• condemn 
• denounce 
• minimize