deprecatory

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Related to deprecatory: endeared

dep·re·ca·to·ry

(dĕp′rĭ-kə-tôr′ē) also dep·re·ca·tive (-kā′tĭv)

adj.

1. Expressing disapproval or criticism.

2. Mildly disparaging or uncomplimentary, especially of oneself.

dep′re·ca·to′ri·ly adv.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

deprecatory

(ˈdɛprɪkətrɪ)

adj

1. expressing disapproval; protesting

2. expressing apology; apologetic

ˈdeprecatorily adv

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

dep•re•ca•to•ry

(ˈdɛp rɪ kəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i)

adj.

1. of the nature of or expressing disapproval or depreciation.

2. apologetic.

[1580–90; < Late Latin]

dep′re•ca•to`ri•ly, adv.

dep′re•ca•to`ri•ness, n.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Adj.

deprecatory - tending to diminish or disparage; "belittling comments"; "managed a deprecating smile at the compliment"; "deprecatory remarks about the book"; "a slighting remark"

belittling, deprecating, deprecative, slighting, depreciative, depreciatory

uncomplimentary - tending to (or intended to) detract or disparage

deprecatory

adjective

1. disapproving (often self-deprecatory) censuring, reproachful, condemnatory, opprobrious a hollow, self-deprecatory laugh

2. apologetic, rueful, contrite, remorseful, regretful, penitent `Sorry about that,' he said, with a deprecatory grin.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

deprecatory

adjective

Tending or intending to belittle:

deprecative, depreciative, depreciatory, derogative, derogatory, detractive, disparaging, low, pejorative, slighting, uncomplimentary.

Translations

contrario

deprecatory

[ˈdeprɪkətərɪ] ADJ [attitude, gesture] → de desaprobación; [smile] → de disculpa

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

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References in classic literature ?

The girl was deprecatory at one moment, appealing to Robert.

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He was certainly not more than thirty, and the elderly mate, with a murmur to me of "That's my old man," proceeded to give instances of the natural unhandiness of the ship in a sort of deprecatory tone, as if to say, "You mustn't think I bear a grudge against her for that."

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But he is manifestly afraid of my displeasure; and if at one time he tries my patience by his unreasonable exactions, and fretful complaints and reproaches, at another he depresses me by his abject submission and deprecatory self-abasement when he fears he has gone too far.

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It is not the least among the strange things bred by the intense artificialness of sea-usages, that while in the open air of the deck some officers will, upon provocation, bear themselves boldly and defyingly enough towards their commander; yet, ten to one, let those very officers the next moment go down to their customary dinner in that same commander's cabin, and straightway their inoffensive, not to say deprecatory and humble air towards him, as he sits at the head of the table; this is marvellous, sometimes most comical.

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With a deprecatory grunt, the jackal again complied.

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The Prince raised his hand a little--a deprecatory gesture.

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He had just got home from a trip to the store at Carmody, and he sheepishly produced a small parcel from his pocket and handed it to Anne, with a deprecatory look at Marilla.

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My laugh sounded deprecatory. Nobody but a friend could be so angry as that.

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'I think perhaps,' he said, 'we had better all be thinking of going to bed.' And he smiled with a feeble and deprecatory smile.

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"You rear like a frightened colt, because I use a word to which your Christianity ascribes a deprecatory meaning.

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He used to nod many times to her and smile when she came in, and utter inarticulate deprecatory moans when she was going away.

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Those of Mr and Mrs Quilp, however, were an exception to the general rule; the remarks which they occasioned being limited to a long soliloquy on the part of the gentleman, with perhaps a few deprecatory observations from the lady, not extending beyond a trembling monosyllable uttered at long intervals, and in a very submissive and humble tone.