Decry
hardNegative tonedih-KRY
verb
Definition
To publicly denounce or criticize
Memory hook
DE-CRY: CRY DOWN against something -- publicly condemn and criticize.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“Activists decried the government's environmental policies.”
“The editorial decried the rising levels of corruption.”
Categories
GRE Tip
Decry is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "denounce" or "condemn" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "praise".
Related GRE Words
denounce
To publicly declare to be wrong or evil; condemn
censure
To express severe disapproval of someone or something, especially in a formal statement
deprecate
to express strong disapproval of; to belittle
denigrate
To criticize unfairly; to disparage or belittle
excoriate
To criticize severely; to strip off the skin
obloquy
Strong public criticism or verbal abuse; disgrace
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