deprecate
[ dep-ri-keyt ]
/ ˈdɛp rɪˌkeɪt /
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verb (used with object), dep·re·cat·ed, dep·re·cat·ing.
to express earnest disapproval of: The physician’s committee moved to deprecate the standard American diet.
to urge reasons against; protest against (a scheme, purpose, etc.).
to depreciate; belittle: How can companies redress the experiences of marginalized team members whose voices are being deprecated in the workplace?
Computers. to cease supporting or recommending the use of (older elements, features, or versions of software): The publisher deprecates products after five years or if more than two more recent versions are available.
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 common sense of deprecate is “to express disapproval of.” In technology and computing, deprecate is very commonly used to describe phasing out or abandoning out-of-date software.
In an evolution 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.
In an evolution 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. 2022
How to use deprecate in a sentence
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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