Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
deprecate \dep"re*cate\ (d[e^]p"r[-e]*k[=a]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deprecated (-k[=a]`t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. Deprecating (-k[=a]`t[i^]ng).] [L. deprecatus, p. p. of deprecari to avert by prayer, to deprecate; de- + precari to pray. See Pray.] To pray against, as an evil; to seek to avert by prayer; to seek deliverance from; to express deep regret for; to desire the removal of. [archaic]
2. To protest against; to advance reasons against.
His purpose was deprecated by all round him, and he
was with difficulty induced to adandon it.
--Sir W.
Scott.
3. To disapprove of strongly; to express a low opinion of.
Wiktionary
In manner that deprecates; insulting; belittling. v
(present participle of deprecate English)
WordNet
adj. tending to diminish or disparage; "belittling comments"; "managed a deprecating smile at the compliment"; "deprecatory remarks about the book"; "a slighting remark" [syn: belittling, deprecative, deprecatory, depreciative, depreciatory, slighting]
Usage examples of "deprecating".
Fordeliton made a deprecating sound and pinched his nostrils.
He shrugged as if deprecating a youthful determination that had taken a great deal of mature application to bring to fruition.
He made events out of small incidents, no matter that all were aimed at extolling the islands, subtly deprecating mainland ways.
Their beans are very good-for arabicas," he said with a slightly deprecating smile for a lesser breed, "but excel-lent in its category.
And now he's not all that much to look at close on, mind you," Dag began in the deprecating way of all devoted handlers.
He made a deprecating gesture that turned into a clap to summon servants.
Then serve this gentleman well, or else - ’ The General paused, and laughed in his most deprecating manner.
Perhaps there was another man behind the personality of this deprecating, pleasant-spoken little sybarite - a man who only appeared (oh rara avis!
Philip answered, with a deprecating look (as who should say, aside, "I really couldn't help it").
Shards, no, Persellan, I just have to convey a lot of people here and there,” T’lion said in an earnestly self deprecating tone.