deprecate
[ dep-ri-keyt ]
/ ˈdɛp rɪˌkeɪt /
verb (used with object), dep·re·cat·ed, dep·re·cat·ing.
to express earnest disapproval of.
to urge reasons against; protest against (a scheme, purpose, etc.).
to depreciate; belittle.
Archaic. to pray for deliverance from.
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Origin of deprecate
synonym study for deprecate
1. See decry.
historical usage of deprecate
An early and still the most current sense of deprecate is “to express disapproval of.” In a sense development still occasionally criticized by a few, deprecate has come to be synonymous with the similar but etymologically unrelated word depreciate in the sense “belittle”: The author modestly deprecated the importance of his work. In compounds with self-, deprecate has almost totally replaced depreciate in modern usage: Her self-deprecating account of her career both amused and charmed the audience.
OTHER WORDS FROM deprecate
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH deprecate
deprecate , depreciate (see word story at the current entry)Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for deprecate
British Dictionary definitions for deprecate
deprecate
/ (ˈdɛprɪˌkeɪt) /
verb (tr)
to express disapproval of; protest against
to depreciate (a person, someone's character, etc); belittle
archaic to try to ward off by prayer
Derived forms of deprecate
Word Origin for deprecate
C17: from Latin dēprecārī to avert, ward off by entreaty, from de- + precārī to pray
undefined deprecate
Avoid confusion with depreciate
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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