verb
decry
Decry (verb) means to condemn something as being harmful.
verb
1
To condemn something as being harmful.
"For London, Beeching decries the low fares, resulting in an inability to justify investment in capacity enhancement despite severe overcrowding."
— Gareth Dennis, The Reshaping of things to come (2023)
"While decrying bureaucracy and demanding participatory democracy they, themselves, frequently attempt to manipulate the very group of workers, blacks or students on whose behalf they demand participation."
— Alvin Toffler, Future Shock: Bantam Books (1970)
"All of us seem to need some totalistic relationships in our lives. But to decry the fact that we cannot have only such relationships is nonsense."
— Alvin Toffler, Future Shock: Bantam Books (1970)
2
To hold something responsible for problems or troubles.
Easily confused with
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Etymology
C. 1600, from Middle French decrier (“to denigrate; depreciate”), from Old French descrier (“to shout”) (modern décrier). Doublet of descry. The pejorative meaning had not been present in the Middle English loan, but it was present in the French word from at least the 13th century, with a meaning of "to denigrate; depreciate; to announce the depreciation or suppression of a currency", presumably from the interpretation of de- as meaning "down, inferior".
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of decry?
"decry" (verb) means to condemn something as being harmful.
What is another word for decry?
Other words for "decry" include reprobate, excoriate, condemn, objurgate.
What is the opposite of decry?
Opposites of "decry" include extol, applaud, praise, laud, glorify.
What are the different meanings of decry?
"decry" has 2 main meanings: 1. To condemn something as being harmful; 2. To hold something responsible for problems or troubles.
