Synonyms of depreciate

depreciate

verb

di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt 

1

as in to reduce

to diminish the price or value of

a faded finish will really depreciate your car when you decide to trade it in

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reduce
• devalue
• depress
• devaluate
• cheapen
• lower
• sink
• attenuate
• shrink
• downgrade
• write down
• mark down
• write off
• debase
• break
• undervalue
• underestimate
• underrate
• underprice
• demonetize
• lessen
• compress
• dwindle
• deflate
• moderate
• downsize
• abridge
• contract
• de-escalate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appreciate
• enhance
• upgrade
• inflate
• mark up
• increase
• overestimate
• blow up
• add
• extend
• expand
• maximize
• augment
• multiply
• overvalue
• escalate
• raise
• enlarge
• heighten
• amplify
• swell
• dilate
• overrate
• bloat
• boost
• overprice
• compound
• up
• aggrandize
• balloon

2

as in to dismiss

to express scornfully one's low opinion of

dared to depreciate Shakespeare, saying his works have no relevance for modern audiences

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dismiss
• diminish
• minimize
• criticize
• disparage
• denigrate
• deprecate
• derogate
• belittle
• discount
• decry
• talk down
• dislike
• diss
• run down
• condemn
• denounce
• play down
• dump on
• write off
• bad-mouth
• cry down
• discredit
• trash
• poor-mouth
• put down
• trash-talk
• dis
• scold
• vilipend
• kiss off
• abuse
• disapprove (of)
• vilify
• defame
• slander
• malign
• discommend
• disgrace
• reprehend
• censure
• rip
• traduce
• asperse
• slur
• reprobate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exalt
• applaud
• glorify
• magnify
• praise
• laud
• extol
• approve
• recommend
• favor
• endorse
• indorse
• acclaim
• countenance
• sanction
• extoll
• commend
• compliment
• eulogize

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb depreciate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of depreciate are belittle, decry, and disparage. While all these words mean "to express a low opinion of," depreciate implies a representing as being of less value than commonly believed.

critics depreciate his plays for being unabashedly sentimental

When is belittle a more appropriate choice than depreciate?

While in some cases nearly identical to depreciate, belittle usually suggests a contemptuous or envious attitude.

belittled the achievements of others

In what contexts can decry take the place of depreciate?

The words decry and depreciate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, decry implies open condemnation with intent to discredit.

decried their defeatist attitude

When might disparage be a better fit than depreciate?

Although the words disparage and depreciate have much in common, disparage implies depreciation by indirect means such as slighting or invidious comparison.

disparaged polo as a game for the rich

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of depreciate

Many older Rivian vehicles have depreciated significantly, based on used model pricing. —Charles Singh, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025

Their infidelities have left the people of 2119 trapped between loving the expansive then and the depreciated now. —Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025

For chief financial officers (CFOs), noticing early warning signs can make the difference between doubling down on a high-potential initiative or having to redeploy capital before returns depreciate. —Matthew Ross, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Health compounds; things depreciate. —Big Think, 18 Sep. 2025