What does depreciatingly mean?
Depreciatingly is a formal adverb meaning in a disparaging or disapproving way. It describes language, a manner, or an attitude that diminishes someone or something, as when a speaker treats a colleague's work as trivial or unworthy. The word is especially useful when the emphasis is not simply on criticism but on the tone of belittling, weary dismissal, or contempt it conveys. Depreciatingly is derived from depreciate, from Latin depreciare, meaning to lower the price or value, and ultimately from the same root behind price, precious, and appreciate. The form is understood in both British and American English, but it sounds somewhat formal and uncommon in everyday conversation. In careful writing, it conveys a sharper, more dismissive attitude than critically while remaining less specific than terms such as derisively or mockingly. It can characterize both what someone says and the manner in which they say it, making it useful for describing precisely how a judgment is expressed.
adverbIn a disparaging or disapproving way; so as to belittle or diminish the value of someone or something.
- In a disparaging, belittling, or contemptuously disapproving manner.
"The minister spoke depreciatingly of the proposal, dismissing it without acknowledging its merits."
"The minister spoke depreciatingly of the proposal, dismissing it without acknowledging its merits."
"He smiled depreciatingly as if the praise were a joke."
From the same Latin root that gave us price and precious, depreciatingly grew an edge sharp enough to dismiss.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does depreciatingly come from?
Depreciatingly was formed in English by adding the suffix -ly to the present participle depreciating. Depreciate comes from Latin depreciare, a combination of de-, indicating removal or lowering, and pretium, meaning price or value. The same Latin root also underlies words such as price, precious, and appreciate.
How depreciatingly is actually used
This is a formal and relatively uncommon word. It is more pointed than critically and more explicitly implies belittling or contempt than dismissively.
Easily confused with depreciatingly
Depreciatingly describes disparaging speech or an attitude, whereas depreciatively more directly describes the act of diminishing something's monetary or material value.