deprecate
de pruh kayt
- v express strong disapproval of; deplore
- v belittle
The teacher should not deprecate his student's efforts
- Valerie strongly deprecated the utterances of her secretary and apologized to those who were hurt by his words.
- When the Minister hastily deprecated the partisan attitude of the opposition, he did not anticipate the political storm it would raise.
- A coach should encourage not deprecate a sportsperson's efforts.