decry

[ dih-krahy ]

verb (used with object)

, de·cried, de·cry·ing.

1. to speak disparagingly of; denounce as faulty or worthless; express censure of:

   She decried the lack of support for the arts in this country.

   Synonyms: minimize, depreciate, discredit, disparage, belittle

2. to condemn or depreciate by proclamation, as foreign or obsolete coins.

decry

/ dɪˈkraɪ /

verb

1. to express open disapproval of; disparage
2. to depreciate by proclamation

   to decry obsolete coinage

Derived Forms

• deˈcrier, noun
• deˈcrial, noun

Other Words From

• de·crier noun
• unde·cried adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of decry¹

1610–20; < French décrier, Old French descrier. See dis- ¹, cry

Word History and Origins

Origin of decry¹

C17: from Old French descrier, from des- dis - ¹+ crier to cry

Synonym Study

Decry, denigrate, deprecate, derogate all involve the expression of censure or disapproval. Decry means to express one's vigorous disapproval of or to denounce: to decry all forms of discrimination. Denigrate means to speak damagingly of, to criticize in derogative terms: denigrating his works as trifling and poorly executed. Deprecate implies the expression of earnest, thoughtful disapproval: to deprecate a plan because of possible environmental damage. Derogate means to speak in such a way as to decrease the status, high quality, or good reputation of someone or something, making the person or object seem of less value: Fear of change makes them derogate every proposal put forth.

Example Sentences

Often lost when comics decry pushback from offended constituencies is any consideration of accompanying factors such as the effect their jokes have on their fans, and consequences.

From Salon

Trump has also been sparse on details about transportation — his website doesn’t address the issue except to decry Chinese ownership.

From Salon

So, as we laugh, deride and decry Trump’s startlingly ignorant, angry, loathsome and insipid antics, and as we point out the lesser transgressions of Harris and her team, we do not point out the stakes of putting Trump back in office.

From Salon

Protesters also gathered at USC and other campuses to decry the deaths of Palestinians and Israel’s bombardment of Lebanon.

From Los Angeles Times

People on the left are aghast and decry the bully and yell about how he or she is a bad person.

From Salon

Related Words

• belittle
• condemn
• denounce
• minimize