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depreciate

play
verb de·pre·ci·ate \di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt\

Definition of depreciate

depreciated

;

depreciating
  1. transitive verb

  2. 1 :  to lower in honor or esteem often depreciates the importance of her work

  3. 2a :  to lower the price or estimated value of depreciate propertyb :  to deduct from taxable income a portion of the original cost of (a business asset) over several years as the value of the asset decreases

  4. intransitive verb

  5. :  to fall in value advised us to sell the stock before it depreciates

depreciable

play \-shə-bəl\ adjective

depreciatingly

play \-shē-ˌā-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

depreciation

play \-ˌprē-shē-ˈā-shən\ noun

depreciative

play \-ˈprē-shə-tiv, -shē-ˌā-tiv\ adjective

depreciator

play \-shē-ˌā-tər\ noun

depreciatory

play \-shə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective

See depreciate defined for English-language learners

See depreciate defined for kids

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Examples of depreciate in a Sentence

  1. These changes have greatly depreciated the value of the house.

  2. The value of the house has depreciated greatly.

Recent Examples of depreciate from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'depreciate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of depreciate

Middle English, from Late Latin depretiatus, past participle of depretiare, from Latin de- + pretium price — more at price


First Known Use: 15th century

depreciate Synonyms

Synonyms
attenuate, break, cheapen, depress, devaluate, devalue, downgrade, lower, mark down, reduce, sink, write down, write off
Antonyms
appreciate, enhance, mark up, upgrade
Related Words
debase, demonetize; underestimate, underprice, underrate, undervalue; abridge, compress, contract, de-escalate, deflate, downsize, dwindle, lessen, moderate, shrink
Near Antonyms
bloat, blow up, inflate; overestimate, overprice, overrate, overvalue; add, aggrandize, amplify, augment, balloon, boost, compound, dilate, enlarge, escalate, expand, extend, heighten, increase, maximize, multiply, raise, swell, up

Synonym Discussion of depreciate

decry, depreciate, disparage, belittle mean to express a low opinion of. decry implies open condemnation with intent to discredit. decried their defeatist attitude depreciate implies a representing as being of less value than commonly believed. critics depreciate his plays for being unabashedly sentimental disparage implies depreciation by indirect means such as slighting or invidious comparison. disparaged polo as a game for the rich belittle usually suggests a contemptuous or envious attitude. belittled the achievements of others

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

DEPRECIATE Defined for English Language Learners

depreciate

play
verb

Definition of depreciate for English Language Learners

  • : to cause (something) to have a lower price or value

  • : to decrease in value

  • : to describe (something) as having little value

DEPRECIATE Defined for Kids

depreciate

play
verb de·pre·ci·ate \di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt\

Definition of depreciate for Students

depreciated

;

depreciating

  1. 1 :  belittle He often depreciates his own talent.

  2. 2 :  to lower the price or value of

  3. 3 :  to lose value New cars depreciate rapidly.

Law Dictionary

depreciate

play
verb de·pre·ci·ate \di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt\

Legal Definition of depreciate

depreciated

depreciating

  2. transitive verb
    3. :  to subject to depreciation :  lower the value of
  3. intransitive verb
    4. :  to fall in value — compare appreciate

Learn More about depreciate

  1. See words that rhyme with depreciate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for depreciate Spanish Central: Translation of depreciate Nglish: Translation of depreciate for Spanish speakers

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Examples: depreciate in a Sentence
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