Entry Word: decry

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to express scornfully one's low opinion of <scientists were quick to decry the claims of the psychic>

Synonyms bad-mouth, belittle, cry down, deprecate, depreciate, diminish, discount, disparage, minimize, put down, write off

Related Words abuse, scold; disapprove (of), dislike; censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, reprehend, reprobate; asperse, defame, malign, slander, traduce, vilify; discredit, disgrace

Near Antonyms approve, countenance, endorse (also indorse), favor, recommend, sanction; commend, compliment, eulogize

Antonyms acclaim, applaud, exalt, extol (also extoll), glorify, laud, magnify, praise

2 to declare to be morally wrong or evil <a statement by the church decrying modern societyʼs liberal attitude regarding marriage and divorce> — see condemn 1