depreciate

[dih-pree-shee-eyt]

verb (used with object)

depreciated, depreciating 

1. to reduce the purchasing value of (money).

2. to lessen the value or price of.

3. to claim depreciation on (a property) for tax purposes.

4. to represent as of little value or merit; belittle.

   Synonyms: minimize, decry, disparage

verb (used without object)

depreciated, depreciating 

1. to decline in value.

depreciate

/ dɪˈpriːʃɪətərɪ, -trɪ, dɪˈpriːʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to reduce or decline in value or price

2. (tr) to lessen the value of by derision, criticism, etc; disparage

Confusables Note

See deprecate

Other Word Forms

• depreciatingly adverb
• depreciator noun
• nondepreciating adjective
• predepreciate verb
• redepreciate verb
• undepreciated adjective
• underdepreciate verb (used with object)
• depreciatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of depreciate¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Late Latin dēpretiātus “undervalued” (past participle of dēpretiāre; in Medieval Latin spelling dēpreciāre ), equivalent to Latin dē- “away from, out of” + preti(um) “price” + -ātus past participle suffix; de-, price, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of depreciate¹

C15: from Late Latin dēpretiāre to lower the price of, from Latin _de- + pretium _price

Example Sentences

The central bank is also unlikely to hold off on cuts to support the rupee, which has been depreciating against the U.S. dollar, said Shilan Shah of Capital Economics.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The yen has depreciated against almost every major currency this year.

Read more on MarketWatch

Allegations of a purposefully cheapened offshore yuan as a controlled currency are misguided and ignore key facts, he says, adding that the PBOC’s price guidance has been predominantly to appreciate, not depreciate the yuan.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They want to let the peso depreciate gradually through a rigid foreign-exchange regime based on trading within a band.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Since it became apparent that Takaichi would become prime minister in October, the yen has sharply depreciated to its present level of around 154 to the dollar.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• decrease 
• depress 
• deteriorate 
• diminish 
• dwindle 
• erode 
• lessen 
• lower 
• soften 
• undervalue 
• worsen 
• write off