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

Asked about the Democratic agenda moving through Congress, Wright didn't decry anything in particular, but said the majority didn't have “Texas values” in mind.

From Washington Post

Several of the defense lawyers not only claim prosecutors have failed to make those cases, but they strongly decry the secretive one-judge grand jury process that led to the charges, a system unique to Michigan and rarely used in the state.

From ProPublica

Again and again, various people in the crowd decry those who are actually trying to do the violent work of breaching the building that the mob is pushing to enter.

From ProPublica

Democrats decried the campaign — which was to feature celebrities friendly to the president — as reelection propaganda.

From Washington Post

If you talk to anyone familiar with film or TVs, you’ve probably heard them decry the seemingly ubiquitous inclusion of motion smoothing as the default setting on new TVs.

From Time

But their officers and shareholders do get hit up by the very same politicians who decry corporate involvement in politics.

From The Daily Beast

So when Democrats decry money in politics are they really being serious, or are they just posturing?

From The Daily Beast

Detractors will immediately decry “Republican Obstructionism” or “Tea Party instringence.”

From The Daily Beast

The Prime Minister of Israel has been known to angrily decry anti-Israel incitement among Palestinians, and he is right to do so.

From The Daily Beast

A growing chorus of voices has joined together to decry this idea.

From The Daily Beast

Nothing—less than nothing; and yet you venture, upon your paltry experience, to lift up your voices and decry the sex.

From Project Gutenberg

That is what they do who decry "godly sorrow" to exalt practical amendment.

From Project Gutenberg

Shall we venture to depart from the old ways, and to decry the customs handed down to us from the ages gone by?

From Project Gutenberg

Self-interest, which it is the fashion among Christians to decry in words, while adhering to it strictly in action.

From Project Gutenberg

Again, we may decry the color prejudice of the South, yet it remains a heavy fact.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• belittle
• condemn
• denounce
• minimize