Dictionary

deprecate

verb dep·re·cate \ˈde-pri-ˌkāt\

: to criticize or express disapproval of (someone or something)

dep·re·cat·eddep·re·cat·ing

Full Definition of DEPRECATE

transitive verb
1
a archaic :  to pray against (as an evil)
b :  to seek to avert <deprecate the wrath … of the Roman people — Tobias Smollett>
2
:  to express disapproval of
3
a :  play down :  make little of <speaks five languages … but deprecates this facility — Time>
b :  belittle, disparage <the most reluctantly admired and least easily deprecated of … novelists — New Yorker>
dep·re·cat·ing·ly \-ˌkā-tiŋ-lē\ adverb
dep·re·ca·tion \ˌde-pri-ˈkā-shən\ noun
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Origin of DEPRECATE

Latin deprecatus, past participle of deprecari to avert by prayer, from de- + precari to pray — more at pray
First Known Use: 1628

Rhymes with DEPRECATE

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