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

One commenter decried the festival as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to spend “billions of dollars promoting cultural and sporting events in an effort to distract from its endless human rights abuses.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Even when elected leaders decry inequity, they typically do more to mystify than clarify what has caused it.

Read more on Salon

Rather than decrying that “dating surveys show two-thirds of Americans insist on political compatibility, and 1 in 6 have ended relationships over it,” professionals might recognize that political views reflect values.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Petro has decried the massive buildup of U.S. troops, warships and jets in the Caribbean, which, he charges, aims to force a change of governments in neighboring Venezuela.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Confronted with what activists decried as a messy resettlement plan and unfair compensation, he and his neighbours were helpless, Damar recalls.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• belittle 
• condemn 
• denounce 
• minimize