Synonyms of depreciate

depreciate

verb

di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt 

1

as in to reduce

to diminish the price or value of

a faded finish will really depreciate your car when you decide to trade it in

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reduce
• devalue
• depress
• devaluate
• cheapen
• lower
• sink
• attenuate
• shrink
• downgrade
• write down
• mark down
• write off
• debase
• break
• undervalue
• underestimate
• underrate
• underprice
• demonetize
• lessen
• compress
• dwindle
• deflate
• moderate
• downsize
• abridge
• contract
• de-escalate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appreciate
• enhance
• upgrade
• inflate
• mark up
• increase
• overestimate
• blow up
• add
• extend
• expand
• maximize
• augment
• multiply
• overvalue
• escalate
• raise
• enlarge
• heighten
• amplify
• swell
• dilate
• overrate
• bloat
• boost
• overprice
• compound
• up
• aggrandize
• balloon

2

as in to dismiss

to express scornfully one's low opinion of

dared to depreciate Shakespeare, saying his works have no relevance for modern audiences

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dismiss
• diminish
• minimize
• criticize
• disparage
• denigrate
• deprecate
• derogate
• belittle
• discount
• decry
• talk down
• dislike
• diss
• run down
• condemn
• denounce
• play down
• dump on
• write off
• bad-mouth
• cry down
• discredit
• trash
• poor-mouth
• put down
• trash-talk
• dis
• scold
• vilipend
• kiss off
• abuse
• disapprove (of)
• vilify
• defame
• slander
• malign
• discommend
• disgrace
• reprehend
• censure
• rip
• traduce
• asperse
• slur
• reprobate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exalt
• applaud
• glorify
• magnify
• praise
• laud
• extol
• approve
• recommend
• favor
• endorse
• indorse
• acclaim
• countenance
• sanction
• extoll
• commend
• compliment
• eulogize

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb depreciate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of depreciate are belittle, decry, and disparage. While all these words mean "to express a low opinion of," depreciate implies a representing as being of less value than commonly believed.

critics depreciate his plays for being unabashedly sentimental

When is belittle a more appropriate choice than depreciate?

While in some cases nearly identical to depreciate, belittle usually suggests a contemptuous or envious attitude.

belittled the achievements of others

In what contexts can decry take the place of depreciate?

The words decry and depreciate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, decry implies open condemnation with intent to discredit.

decried their defeatist attitude

When might disparage be a better fit than depreciate?

Although the words disparage and depreciate have much in common, disparage implies depreciation by indirect means such as slighting or invidious comparison.

disparaged polo as a game for the rich

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of depreciate

While parts availability is not expected to be an immediate concern, resale values for discontinued models typically depreciate more rapidly. —Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Loyalty is a depreciating currency in football, that much has been clear for decades, but Newcastle supporters still have a right to feel let down by a player who was, until recently, beloved. —Mark Critchley, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025

Yet claims rarely exceeded thirty thousand dollars, and the Bronx’s swiftly depreciating tenements were generally owned by petty and mid-tier operators, not Tom Wolfe-style masters of the universe. —Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025

They are stuck with an old SUV that's worth next to nothing and is depreciating by the mile. —Charles Singh, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025