— decrier , n.
/di kruy"/ , v.t., decried, decrying .
1. to speak disparagingly of; denounce as faulty or worthless; express censure of: She decried the lack of support for the arts in this country.
2. to condemn or depreciate by proclamation, as foreign or obsolete coins.
[ 1610-20; décrier, OF descrier. See DIS- 1 , CRY ]
Syn. 1. belittle, disparage, discredit, depreciate, minimize. DECRY, DENIGRATE, DEPRECATE, DEROGATE all involve the expression of censure or disapproval. DECRY means to express one's vigorous disapproval of or to denounce: to decry all forms of discrimination. DENIGRATE means to speak damagingly of, to criticize in derogative terms: denigrating his works as trifling and poorly executed.
DEPRECATE implies the expression of earnest, thoughtful disapproval: to deprecate a plan because of possible environmental damage. DEROGATE means to speak in such a way as to decrease the status, high quality, or good reputation of someone or something, making the person or object seem of less value: Fear of change makes them derogate every proposal put forth.