as in disparaging
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1
as in dismissing
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
movie critics tried to outdo one another in deprecating the comedy as the stupidest movie of the year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disliking
to hold an unfavorable opinion of
deprecates TV sitcoms as childish and simpleminded
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deprecating
Sam Weller
july 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
Bland has a similar deprecating sense of humor.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2021
Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025
The 45-year-old actor has always projected a sort of likable, hunky lunkhead persona, giving the movies their equivalent of the campus jock that secretly had a sly sense of self-deprecating humor and theater-department chops.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Much writing today strikes me as deprecating, destructive, and angry.
—Sam Weller
july 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
Bland has a similar deprecating sense of humor.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2021
Verb
The internet personality was particularly known for satirical skits and deprecating humor, earning a Shorty Award and several Streamy Award nominations.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025
The 45-year-old actor has always projected a sort of likable, hunky lunkhead persona, giving the movies their equivalent of the campus jock that secretly had a sly sense of self-deprecating humor and theater-department chops.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deprecating
Adjective
-
Felix points to Trump’s disparaging and false comments against Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, which put a target on the back of many Haitian immigrants.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
While Trump’s talk of a possible NATO pullout dates back years, the comments to The Telegraph newspaper in the U.K., published Wednesday, were among the clearest and most disparaging yet — suggesting that the fracture has deepened perhaps to a point of no return.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As the media fixates on the digital natives known as Gen Z and Gen Alpha — often dismissing them as antisocial and entitled members of society — Saturday’s celebration showed that younger generations might actually have it all under control.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Democrats criticized Republicans for dismissing attempts at meaningful reform.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
China and Russia are often described as caring deeply about sovereignty and disliking regime change for that reason.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Known for disliking public attention, Souter even forewent a Washington funeral.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
People throwing cigarette butts against the house, yelling obscenities, playing derogatory music.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
-
Lorincz, who is White, called the children, who are Black, derogatory names and racial slurs.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Verb
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As with minimizing soil disturbance, this, too, helps tremendously with controlling erosion, increasing the carbon content of soil and conserving moisture.—
Special to The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
-
Ambush hunting enables energy conservation while minimizing the risks associated with pursuit; remaining motionless in water for hours also costs comparatively little.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
In March, Warren led the Massachusetts delegation in a letter to the State Department criticizing the administration’s lack of preparation in terms of evacuating Americans and pressing for answers on its response.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
28 May 2026
-
The agreement was immediately challenged in Kenya’s High Court, with opponents criticizing it for unfavorable terms.—
Larry Madowo,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Critics are sometimes contemptuous of the way superhero entertainment has been embraced by adults, who should presumably be making their way through the Booker Prize longlist.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Sara Hershkowitz’s wildly contemptuous Queen adds further soprano glory.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The swell on Saturday, which brought moderate 3-to 5-foot surf, was diminishing by the evening and into Sunday, said Sebastian Westerink, meteorologist for the National Weather Service.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
7 June 2026
-
This put him in the unusual position of being both an embarrassment and a hugely valuable asset to the BBC, as well as the focus of frequent criticism from the UK’s right-leaning media, most of whom have a commercial interest in diminishing the BBC.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deprecating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deprecating. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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