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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of depreciate The South Korean won depreciated 0.83% to 1,467.65. Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 3 Feb. 2025 Historically, Samsung devices have depreciated faster than competitors like Apple's iPhones. Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025 As a result, the digital asset depreciated roughly 4.8% in a matter of hours. Charles Lloyd Bovaird Ii, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024 During the first trade spat in 2018 and 2019, the yuan depreciated by 11.5% versus the greenback and offset about two-thirds of the tariff hike, according to analysis from Morgan Stanley economists including Robin Xing. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune Asia, 29 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for depreciate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depreciate
Verb
  • The venue renovations have significantly increased hospitality and premium offerings with new pubs, clubs, restaurants and seating, while reducing the number of suites from 70 to 40.
    Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Or has your life together reduced him to, as in your letter, a list of maddening attributes?
    James Parker, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Less than two weeks after the incident, though, all charges were dismissed.
    Ben Church, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
  • But in dismissing the lawsuit to arbitration last December, Clarke wasn’t moved by the Knicks’ arguments.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Our national currency is devaluing and shrinking every day.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
  • For example, if an AI starts to take a human’s past work and replicate it somehow, that’s going to devalue what the human is still offering to the job market.
    John Werner, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The intense criticism of the COVID response has left a lingering public distrust in health and diminished their influence.
    Tina Reed, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The seeming smallness of the story does nothing to diminish the film’s bleakness nor blunt its ultimately devastating impact.
    Emma Specter, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Windows users can minimize data collection by adjusting their privacy settings under 'Diagnostics & feedback.' 2.
    Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), regulations like the Clean Air Act help minimize the public’s exposure to these industrial emissions.
    Yong Kwon / Made by History, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Some party leaders have been criticized for using Nazi slogans and downplaying the Holocaust.
    Obed Manuel, NPR, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Hackman was praised for his acting but the movie was fiercely criticized for appearing to whitewash history and marginalize Black characters.
    Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Depreciate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depreciate. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on depreciate

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