depreciate

1 of 2

verb

de·​pre·​ci·​ate di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce depreciate (audio)
depreciated; depreciating
Synonyms of depreciate

transitive verb

1
: to lower in honor or esteem
often depreciates the importance of their work
2
a
: to lower the price or estimated value of
depreciate property
b
: to deduct from taxable income a portion of the original cost of (a business asset) over several years as the value of the asset decreases

intransitive verb

: to fall in value
advised us to sell the stock before it depreciates
depreciable
di-ˈprē-shə-bəl How to pronounce depreciate (audio)
adjective
depreciatingly
di-ˈprē-shē-ˌā-tiŋ-lē How to pronounce depreciate (audio)
adverb
depreciative
di-ˈprē-shə-tiv How to pronounce depreciate (audio)
-shē-ˌā-tiv
adjective
depreciator
di-ˈprē-shē-ˌā-tər How to pronounce depreciate (audio)
noun
depreciatory
di-ˈprē-shə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce depreciate (audio)
adjective

depreciator

2 of 2

noun

de·​pre·​ci·​a·​tor -shēˌātə(r) How to pronounce depreciator (audio)
plural -s
: one that depreciates

Synonyms of depreciate

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for depreciate

decry, depreciate, disparage, belittle mean to express a low opinion of.

decry implies open condemnation with intent to discredit.

decried their defeatist attitude

depreciate implies a representing as being of less value than commonly believed.

critics depreciate his plays for being unabashedly sentimental

disparage implies depreciation by indirect means such as slighting or invidious comparison.

disparaged polo as a game for the rich

belittle usually suggests a contemptuous or envious attitude.

belittled the achievements of others

Examples of depreciate in a Sentence

Verb These changes have greatly depreciated the value of the house. The value of the house has depreciated greatly.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Unlike most six‑figure exotics that depreciate as predictably as the setting sun, the 911 has behaved like a blue‑chip asset, giving owners confidence that their purchase rested on unusually solid financial ground. — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 The value of their veteran top goalscorer and forward-line talisman last season is depreciating year by year. — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 As for how the yen depreciated, Japan's comparatively low interest rates have remained a key factor weighing on the currency. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 3 Aug. 2026 During their useful life, the assets purchased with CapEx almost always depreciate, or lose value. — Colin Dodds, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for depreciate

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Late Latin depretiatus, past participle of depretiare, from Latin de- + pretium price — more at price entry 1

Noun

Late Latin depretiator (often spelled depreciator in later manuscripts), from depretiatus + Latin -or

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of depreciate was in the 15th century

Rhymes for depreciate

See All Rhymes for depreciate

Browse Nearby Words

deprecatory
depreciate
depreciatingly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Depreciate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depreciate. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

depreciate

verb
de·​pre·​ci·​ate di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce depreciate (audio)
depreciated; depreciating
1
: to lower the price or value of
depreciate the currency
2
: to represent as of little value : disparage
3
: to fall in value
new cars depreciate rapidly
depreciative
-ˈprē-shət-iv, 
-shē-ˌāt-iv
adjective
depreciatory
-shə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce depreciate (audio)
-ˌtȯr-
adjective

Legal Definition

depreciate

verb
de·​pre·​ci·​ate di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce depreciate (audio)
depreciated; depreciating

transitive verb

: to subject to depreciation : lower the value of

intransitive verb

: to fall in value compare appreciate

More from Merriam-Webster on depreciate

Nglish: Translation of depreciate for Spanish Speakers

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