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.

Nearby words

depr., depravation, deprave, depraved, depravity, deprecate, deprecating, deprecation, deprecative, deprecatory, depreciable

Origin of deprecate

1615–25; < Latin dēprecātus prayed against, warded off (past participle of dēprecārī), equivalent to dē- de- + prec(ārī) to pray + -ātus -ate¹

SYNONYMS FOR deprecate

1 condemn, denounce, disparage.

Related forms

dep·re·cat·ing·ly, adverbdep·re·ca·tion, noundep·re·ca·tor, nounhalf-dep·re·cat·ing, adjective

half-dep·re·cat·ing·ly, adverbnon·dep·re·cat·ing, adjectivenon·dep·re·cat·ing·ly, adverbun·dep·re·cat·ed, adjectiveun·dep·re·cat·ing, adjectiveun·dep·re·cat·ing·ly, adverb

Can be confuseddeprecate depreciate (see usage note at the current entry)

Synonym study

1. See decry.

Usage note

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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for deprecatingly

"Not much of a garden, I'm afraid," he said deprecatingly to Birdwood, as they stood in colloquy outside.
Guy and Pauline|Compton Mackenzie
"My daughter, you are severe," said her mother, deprecatingly.
The American Gentleman's Guide to Politeness and Fashion|Henry Lunettes
"No need to use strong language, Mr. Mallalieu," he said deprecatingly, as he calmly proceeded to divest the other hand.
The Borough Treasurer|Joseph Smith Fletcher
"I couldn't start off and leave Nick Grylls," he said deprecatingly.
Two on the Trail|Hulbert Footner

"The Mexican regulations forbidding any foreign vessel to communicate with the shore," returned Senor Perkins deprecatingly.
The Crusade of the Excelsior|Bret Harte

British Dictionary definitions for deprecatingly

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

deprecating, adjectivedeprecatingly, adverbdeprecation, noundeprecative, adjective

deprecatively, adverbdeprecator, noun

Word Origin for deprecate

C17: from Latin dēprecārī to avert, ward off by entreaty, from de- + precārī to pray

confusable

Avoid confusion with depreciate

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for deprecatingly

deprecate

1620s, "to pray against or for deliverance from," from Latin deprecatus, past participle of deprecari "to pray (something) away" (see deprecation). Meaning "to express disapproval" is from 1640s. Related: Deprecated, deprecating.