deprecate

[dep-ri-keyt] /ˈdɛp rɪˌkeɪt/
verb (used with object), deprecated, deprecating.
1.
to express earnest disapproval of.
2.
to urge reasons against; protest against (a scheme, purpose, etc.).
3.
to depreciate; belittle.
4.
Archaic. to pray for deliverance from.
Origin
1615-25; < Latin dēprecātus prayed against, warded off (past participle of dēprecārī), equivalent to dē- de- + prec(ārī) to pray + -ātus -ate1
Related forms
deprecatingly, adverb
deprecation, noun
deprecator, noun
half-deprecating, adjective
half-deprecatingly, adverb
nondeprecating, adjective
nondeprecatingly, adverb
undeprecated, adjective
undeprecating, adjective
undeprecatingly, adverb
Can be confused
deprecate, depreciate (see usage note at the current entry)
Synonyms
1. condemn, denounce, disparage. See decry.
Usage note
An early and still the most current sense of deprecate is “to express disapproval of.” In a sense development still occasionally criticized by a few, deprecate has come to be synonymous with the similar but etymologically unrelated word depreciate in the sense “belittle”: The author modestly deprecated the importance of his work. In compounds with self-, deprecate has almost totally replaced depreciate in modern usage: Her self-deprecating account of her career both amused and charmed the audience.
Examples from the web for deprecation
  • When in doubt, you can't go wrong with a little self-deprecation.
  • Self-deprecation is an essential part of her appeal, too.
  • Savvy, satirical and fluent in pop culture, this voice also uses self-deprecation to inoculate against criticism.
  • And if history is any guide, presidential self-deprecation can go a long way at this type of gig.
  • If nothing else, he's figured out the art of crisis management through self-deprecation, which means little in the big picture.
  • He presided the same way he presided over the magazine's life: with self-deprecation, sobriety and no fanfare.
  • There was still improvised silliness and self-deprecation.
  • Bonus deprecation is allowed under two federal code sections.
  • He applies similar self-deprecation to his painting.
British Dictionary definitions for deprecation

deprecate

/ˈdɛprɪˌkeɪt/
verb (transitive)
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
Derived Forms
deprecating, adjective
deprecatingly, adverb
deprecation, noun
deprecative, adjective
deprecatively, adverb
deprecator, noun
depreciate
Word Origin
C17: from Latin dēprecārī to avert, ward off by entreaty, from de- + precārī to pray
Word Origin and History for deprecation
n.

c.1500, "prayer to avert evil," from Middle French deprécation, from Latin deprecationem (nominative deprecatio), from past participle stem of deprecari "plead in excuse, avert by prayer," literally "to pray (something) away," from de- "away" (see de-) + precari "pray" (see pray). Sense of "disapproval" is first attested 1610s.

deprecate

v.

1620s, "to pray against or for deliverance from," from Latin deprecatus, past participle of deprecari "to pray (something) away" (see deprecation). Meaning "to express disapproval" is from 1640s. Related: Deprecated, deprecating.