deprecatory

adjective

dep·​re·​ca·​to·​ry ˈde-pri-kə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce deprecatory (audio) ˈde-prə-ˌkā-tə-rē How to pronounce deprecatory (audio)
1
: seeking to avert disapproval : apologetic
2
: serving to deprecate : disapproving
deprecatorily adverb

Examples of deprecatory in a Sentence

he typically followed up any mention of his accomplishments with some deprecatory comments about his perceived failures
Recent Examples on the Web This subsided with unusual speed, however, as cricket fans took instead to sharing the self-deprecatory jokes coming over the border. The Economist, 22 June 2019 Philipps has acquired her 1-million-and-growing Instagram followers through her self-deprecatory humor, raw honesty and vulnerability. Sonja Haller, USA TODAY, 11 July 2018 What the show is really selling is the Chang attitude and mystique, a combination of ego, exactitude, foul-mouthed rebelliousness and self-deprecatory nerdiness. Mike Hale, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deprecatory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deprecatory was in 1586

Dictionary Entries Near deprecatory

Cite this Entry

“Deprecatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deprecatory. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

deprecatory

adjective
dep·​re·​ca·​to·​ry ˈdep-ri-kə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce deprecatory (audio) -ˌtȯr- How to pronounce deprecatory (audio)
: seeking to avoid disapproval : apologetic
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