ˈdeprə̇ˌkāt, -rēˌ-, usu -ād.+V transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin deprecatus, past participle of deprecari to avert by prayer, intercede for from de- + precari to pray — more at pray
1. obsolete : supplicate , beseech
2.
a. archaic : to pray against (as an evil)
b. : to seek to avert (as by supplication)
smilingly placed himself opposite him, with the look of one who deprecates an expected reproof — J.C.Powys
it would bring about the war we all dread and deprecate — A.L.Guérard
3. : to disapprove of often with mildness
a man who advocates aesthetic effort and deprecates social effort — Thomas Hardy
shook her head, deprecating such wit — Arnold Bennett
4.
[influenced in meaning by depreciate ]
: depreciate
a shy self- deprecating manner
insisted that he was merely a private citizen and deprecated any public honors paid to him — Robert Graves
Synonyms: see disapprove