deprecate

[ dep-ri-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, dep·re·cat·ed, dep·re·cat·ing.

1. to express earnest disapproval of:

   The physician’s committee moved to deprecate the standard American diet.

   Synonyms: minimize, decry, disparage, denounce, condemn

2. to urge reasons against; protest against (a scheme, purpose, etc.).
3. to depreciate; belittle:

   How can companies redress the experiences of marginalized team members whose voices are being deprecated in the workplace?

4. 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.

5. Archaic. to pray for deliverance from.

deprecate

/ ˈdɛprɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to express disapproval of; protest against
2. to depreciate (a person, someone's character, etc); belittle
3. archaic.
   to try to ward off by prayer

Usage

See depreciate

Derived Forms

• ˌdepreˈcation, noun
• ˈdepreˌcatingly, adverb
• ˈdepreˌcator, noun
• ˈdepreˌcating, adjective
• ˈdeprecatively, adverb
• ˈdeprecative, adjective

Other Words From

• dep·re·cat·ing·ly adverb
• dep·re·ca·tion [dep-ri-, key, -sh, uh, n], noun
• dep·re·ca·tor noun
• half-dep·re·cat·ing adjective
• half-dep·re·cat·ing·ly adverb
• non·dep·re·cat·ing adjective
• non·dep·re·cat·ing·ly adverb
• un·dep·re·cat·ing adjective
• un·dep·re·cat·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of deprecate¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin dēprecātus “prayed against, warded off” (past participle of dēprecārī ), equivalent to dē- “away from, out of“ + precārī “to pray” + -ātus past participle suffix; de-, pray, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of deprecate¹

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

Synonym Study

See decry.

Example Sentences

The company will “deprecate” the news tab — a Facebook feature to prominently display news material — for users in the United Kingdom, Germany and France.

From Seattle Times

“If there are products that aren’t resonating with customers we deprecate those items and look for other opportunities,” Taddy said.

From Seattle Times

"If there are products that aren't resonating with customers we deprecate those items and look for other opportunities to better meet their needs," Matt Taddy, Vice President of Amazon Private Brands, said in an email to Reuters.

From Reuters

Those that don’t agree to pay, Twitter warned, will begin to see their service “deprecate,” a process that some agencies say is already underway.

From Seattle Times

This word is imprecise and is used universally to deprecate the person or group described.

From Washington Post