depreciate

verb

de·​pre·​ci·​ate di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt 

depreciated; depreciating

transitive verb

1

: to lower in honor or esteem

often depreciates the importance of her 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 

adjective

depreciatingly

di-ˈprē-shē-ˌā-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

depreciation

di-ˌprē-shē-ˈā-shən 

noun

depreciative

di-ˈprē-shə-tiv 

-shē-ˌā-tiv

adjective

depreciator

di-ˈprē-shē-ˌā-tər 

noun

depreciatory

di-ˈprē-shə-ˌtȯr-ē 

adjective

Synonyms

• attenuate
• break
• cheapen
• depress
• devaluate
• devalue
• downgrade
• lower
• mark down
• reduce
• sink
• write down
• write off

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

These changes have greatly depreciated the value of the house.

The value of the house has depreciated greatly.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Korean stock market plummeted after Yoon’s declaration of martial law, and the national currency quickly depreciated. —Victor Cha, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024

After back-to-back seasons with depreciating value offensively and a negative plus/minus, the 30-year-old was shipped out west to free up $8 million from the cap. —Tyler Small, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Costs will be depreciated over seven years rather than expensed in 2023, according to the trade association. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 10 Dec. 2024

During the last trade war, the country allowed the yuan to depreciate against the U.S. dollar, effectively making Chinese exports to the U.S. cheaper. —Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

depreciate

verb

de·​pre·​ci·​ate di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt 

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 

-ˌtȯr-

adjective

Legal Definition

depreciate

verb

de·​pre·​ci·​ate di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt 

depreciated; depreciating

transitive verb

: to subject to depreciation : lower the value of

intransitive verb

: to fall in value compare appreciate