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
• run down
• condemn
• denounce
• play down
• dump on
• write off
• bad-mouth
• cry down
• discredit
• poor-mouth
• trash
• trash-talk
• put down
• dis
• scold
• vilipend
• kiss off
• abuse
• disapprove (of)
• vilify
• defame
• slander
• malign
• discommend
• disgrace
• rip
• censure
• traduce
• reprehend
• asperse
• slur
• reprobate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

By The Economist’s estimates, if those assets were depreciated over three years instead of the longer timelines companies now assume, annual pre-tax profits would fall by $26 billion, roughly an 8% hit. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2025

Betsey Stevenson, professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan, warns that homes can depreciate in value. —Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 12 Nov. 2025

In the three months since the Pentagon deployed warships and aircraft in a campaign that the White House said was aimed at drug traffickers from Venezuela, the bolivar has depreciated around 70% against the US dollar, according to data from the central bank, hemorrhaging one point every day. —Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025

Also, unlike laying fiber optic cable, AI infrastructure depreciates rapidly. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025