decry
Americanverb (used with object)
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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
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to condemn or depreciate by proclamation, as foreign or obsolete coins.
verb
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to express open disapproval of; disparage
-
to depreciate by proclamation
to decry obsolete coinage
Related Words
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.
Other Word Forms
- decrial noun
- decrier noun
- undecried adjective
Etymology
Origin of decry
1610–20; < French décrier, Old French descrier. See dis- 1, cry
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Not every billionaire has decried the wealth tax idea.
From Los Angeles Times
Critics of prediction markets decry betting on wars as ghoulish and tasteless.
In addition to American rivals such as China, Iran and Russia, various democratic governments have decried supposed U.S. violations of international law in arresting Mr. Maduro.
British tech campaigner Imran Ahmed on Friday decried a US visa ban as "punishment" for his organization's work combating disinformation and holding major online platforms accountable, telling AFP that Washington's actions amounted to "tyrannical behavior."
From Barron's
Pope Leo also decried turmoil and conflict plaguing other parts of the world, including Thailand and Cambodia where deadly border clashes have flared up despite a ceasefire in July.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
