Vocabulary in context
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Decry
To publicly condemn or denounce something; to express strong disapproval of a policy, action, or idea.
verb💡
Imagine This
Imagine a city council meeting where a respected columnist stands to condemn a new policy, loudly declaring it unfair and harmful while others boo in agreement.
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Sounds Like
dih-KRY
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Looks Like
de + cry (visual cue: prefix de- plus the word cry)
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Remember This
Decry is formal and often used in journalism, politics, or opinion writing to express strong disapproval. It does not mean to decrease in quantity.
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Other Forms
decriesverb
decriedverb
decryingverb
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Note
Do not confuse decry with descry (to discern or spot visually). They are unrelated in meaning. Decry is about denouncing; descry is about noticing.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The editorial decried the proposed budget cuts as a threat to public education.
- Activists decry the use of fossil fuels despite rising environmental concerns.
Synonyms
condemndenouncedeprecatecriticizecensure
Antonyms
praiseendorseapprove
Etymology
From Middle French decrier 'to cry down, denounce', from de- 'down' + crier 'to cry' (to shout or proclaim).
Mnemonic
DECRY = de-cry: to cry down or condemn; picture a town crier at a city meeting shouting against a bill, effectively 'crying it down'.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Condemn
verbTo express strong disapproval of something or someone, and to declare them unfit, wrong, or deserving of punishment; in a legal sense, to sentence a person to punishment.
Denounce
verbTo publicly condemn or criticize something or someone.
Censure
verbTo express strong disapproval of (someone or something); to condemn or rebuke, typically in a formal or official manner.
Deprecate
verbTo express disapproval of something; to condemn or belittle.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
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