deprecate

/ˈdɛpɹəkeɪt/

Group 28Difficulty 2/3

Definition

(verb)
To express disapproval of; to disparage
GRE

Example in Context

Critics deprecated the decision to prioritize short-term profits over the long-term sustainability of the enterprise.

Synonyms

disapprovecriticizebelittle

Etymology

To belittle or express disapproval, as if praying for something to go down.

  • de- (Latin) — down
  • precari (Latin) — to pray

Memory Aid

🙅‍♂️Sounds like “deprecate

Imagine someone dramatically saying 'NOPE!' while shaking their head at a bad idea — they DEPRECATE it!

Visual Association

💩A person cringing at a terrible joke, shaking their head in disapproval.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Confusable Pairs

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “deprecate” mean on the GRE?

deprecate (verb) means “To express disapproval of; to disparage”. Critics deprecated the decision to prioritize short-term profits over the long-term sustainability of the enterprise.

How to remember “deprecate” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “deprecate” sounds like “deprecate”. Imagine someone dramatically saying 'NOPE!' while shaking their head at a bad idea — they DEPRECATE it!

What are synonyms for “deprecate”?

Common synonyms: disapprove, criticize, belittle.