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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb decry contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of decry are belittle, depreciate, and disparage. While all these words mean "to express a low opinion of," decry implies open condemnation with intent to discredit.

decried their defeatist attitude

In what contexts can belittle take the place of decry?

The words belittle and decry are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, belittle usually suggests a contemptuous or envious attitude.

belittled the achievements of others

Where would depreciate be a reasonable alternative to decry?

The words depreciate and decry can be used in similar contexts, but depreciate implies a representing as being of less value than commonly believed.

critics depreciate his plays for being unabashedly sentimental

When would disparage be a good substitute for decry?

Although the words disparage and decry 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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of decry Four years later, partly in response to the behavior of two former students who critiqued her for those comments, Adichie published a blog post decrying cancel culture. Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025 Several venture capitalists investing in European tech startups also decried complex regulatory compliance burdens on their portfolio companies. Ryan Browne, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2025 Since then, Republican lawmakers have spent years decrying the costs of Medicaid to the state. Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 19 Feb. 2025 So, the folks who decry diversity are usually folks who are descendants from Great Britain (English, Irish, Scottish) as well as Germans. Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decry
Verb
  • Coach Joe Wyatt, formerly an El Camino Real head coach, was dismissed by the Royals in 2022.
    Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Starmer also dismissed calls to cancel a royal invitation from King Charles to the U.S. President for a U.K. state visit, an offer presented by the British leader at the Oval Office Thursday.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Windows users can minimize data collection by adjusting their privacy settings under 'Diagnostics & feedback.' 2.
    Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • SpaceX took steps to minimize the chances that the problem would recur on Flight 8.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Several countries have condemned the violence in the strongest terms.
    Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Trump also signed an executive order targeting antisemitism, specifically condemning protests following Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
    William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The intense criticism of the COVID response has left a lingering public distrust in health and diminished their influence.
    Tina Reed, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The seeming smallness of the story does nothing to diminish the film’s bleakness nor blunt its ultimately devastating impact.
    Emma Specter, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Musk has repeatedly criticized Social Security, one of the government's most popular programs, and DOGE staffers have been working inside the agency.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Hutchins’ mother, Olga Solovey, has criticized Baldwin’s response.
    Rachel Brodsky, TIME, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Recently, however, doctors have started reporting more cases of iodine-deficient hypothyroidism—and our salt preferences may be at least partially to blame.
    Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The Democratic establishment’s focus on blaming Trump for those price spikes represents a stark break from its activists, who have launched a protest movement arguing that Trump is a budding dictator with no regard for the Constitution.
    Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decry. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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