Deprecate
hardDEP-ri-kayt
verb
Definition
to express strong disapproval of; to belittle
Examples
“Critics deprecated the film as a shallow imitation of better work.”
“He tends to deprecate his own achievements, brushing off every compliment.”
Categories
GRE Tip
Deprecate is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "disparage" or "belittle" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "praise".
Related GRE Words
decry
To publicly denounce or criticize
denigrate
To criticize unfairly; to disparage or belittle
disparage
To regard or represent as being of little worth; to belittle
excoriate
To criticize severely; to strip off the skin
approbation
official or warm approval and praise
censure
To express severe disapproval of someone or something, especially in a formal statement
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