depreciate

verb

de·​pre·​ci·​ate di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt 

depreciated; depreciating

transitive verb

1

: to lower in honor or esteem

often depreciates the importance of her work

2

a

: to lower the price or estimated value of

depreciate property

b

: 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

intransitive verb

: to fall in value

advised us to sell the stock before it depreciates

depreciable

di-ˈprē-shə-bəl 

adjective

depreciatingly

di-ˈprē-shē-ˌā-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

depreciation

di-ˌprē-shē-ˈā-shən 

noun

depreciative

di-ˈprē-shə-tiv 

-shē-ˌā-tiv

adjective

depreciator

di-ˈprē-shē-ˌā-tər 

noun

depreciatory

di-ˈprē-shə-ˌtȯr-ē 

adjective

Synonyms

• attenuate
• break
• cheapen
• depress
• devaluate
• devalue
• downgrade
• lower
• mark down
• reduce
• sink
• write down
• write off

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of depreciate in a Sentence

These changes have greatly depreciated the value of the house.

The value of the house has depreciated greatly.

Recent Examples on the Web

An infestation can depreciate a home’s market value, force emergency repairs, and potentially void home warranties (if preventative care wasn’t documented). —Jason Phillips, USA Today, 1 May 2025

There's an entire section that dictates how to depreciate a racehorse over three years (true story), but try finding a simple explanation of whether your crypto losses offset your W-2 income. —Darren T. Case, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

If the elevated tariffs imposed by the U.S. and China stay in place, Capital Economics sees the yuan depreciating significantly. —Lee Ying Shan,asriel Chua, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2025

EVs and luxury cars make up 23 out of 25 of the autos on the list of cars that depreciate most in value, including the Maserati Ghibli, the Land Rover Range Rover, and the Audi A8 L. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin depretiatus, past participle of depretiare, from Latin de- + pretium price — more at price entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for depreciate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

depreciate

verb

de·​pre·​ci·​ate di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt 

depreciated; depreciating

1

: to lower the price or value of

depreciate the currency

2

: to represent as of little value : disparage

3

: to fall in value

new cars depreciate rapidly

depreciative

-ˈprē-shət-iv

-shē-ˌāt-iv

adjective

depreciatory

-shə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

adjective

Legal Definition

depreciate

verb

de·​pre·​ci·​ate di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt 

depreciated; depreciating

transitive verb

: to subject to depreciation : lower the value of

intransitive verb

: to fall in value compare appreciate