DEPRECATE

deprecate, depreciate, vilipend

(verb) belittle; “The teacher should not deprecate his student’s efforts”

deprecate

(verb) express strong disapproval of; deplore

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

deprecate (third-person singular simple present deprecates, present participle deprecating, simple past and past participle deprecated)

(transitive) To belittle or express disapproval of.

(transitive, chiefly, computing) To declare something obsolescent; to recommend against a function, technique, command, etc. that still works but has been replaced.

(archaic, transitive) To pray against.

(archaic, transitive) To regret deeply.

Usage notes

• Do not confuse with depreciate (“decline in value / disparage”).

Source: Wiktionary

Dep"re*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deprecated; p. pr. & vb. n. Deprecating.] Etym: [L. deprecatus, p. p. of deprecari to avert by player, to deprecate; de- + precari to pray. See Pray.]

Definition: To pray against, as an evil; to seek to avert by player; to desire the removal of; to seek deliverance from; to express deep regret for; to disapprove of strongly. His purpose was deprecated by all round him, and he was with difficulty induced to adandon it. Sir W. Scott.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition