Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

decry

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of decry

1 to express scornfully one's low opinion of

  • scientists were quick to decry the claims of the psychic
Synonyms of decry

bad-mouth, belittle, cry down, denigrate, deprecate, depreciate, derogate, diminish, dis (also diss) [slang], discount, dismiss, disparage, kiss off, minimize, play down, poor-mouth, put down, run down, talk down, trash, trash-talk, vilipend, write off
Words Related to decry

discommend

abuse, scold

disapprove (of), dislike

censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, reprehend, reprobate

asperse, defame, malign, rip, slander, slur, traduce, vilify

discredit, disgrace
Phrases Synonymous with decry

dump on
Near Antonyms of decry

approve, countenance, endorse (also indorse), favor, recommend, sanction

commend, compliment, eulogize
Antonyms of decry

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
Synonyms of decry

anathematize, censure, condemn, damn, denounce, execrate, reprehend, reprobate
Words Related to decry

attack, blame, blast, criticize, dis (also diss) [slang], dispraise, fault, knock, pan, slam

belittle, deprecate, disparage

doom, sentence

convict

blacklist, excommunicate, ostracize

castigate, chastise, rebuke, reprimand, reproach

admonish, chide, reprove

berate, lambaste (or lambast), rake, scold, upbraid, vituperate

curse, imprecate

abhor, abominate, detest, hate, loathe, revile
Near Antonyms of decry

approve, endorse (also indorse), sanction

eulogize, exalt, extol (also extoll), glorify, laud, praise

acclaim, applaud, commend, hail, salute, tout

consecrate, hallow, sanctify

honor, revere, venerate
Antonyms of decry

bless

Synonym Discussion of decry

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

Learn More about decry

  1. See words that rhyme with decry Dictionary: Definition of decry Spanish Central: Translation of decry Nglish: Translation of decry for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of decry for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up decry? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

glade

an open space surrounded by woods

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. Spartan Red Cross Warns of Shelter Conditions

  2. hirsute RIP Burt Reynolds

  3. op-ed NYT Publishes Anonymous Piece

  4. collegiality Kavanaugh Mentions Word in Hearing

  5. mistrial Manafort Guilty on 8 Counts

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games