Definition

1. Verb:
   • To publicly express strong disapproval of; to denounce or condemn openly: "decry" means to criticize something or someone severely and publicly, often with the intent to discredit or lower in estimation.
   • To depreciate or belittle the value or importance of something: "decry" can also mean to disparage or speak dismissively about the worth, quality, or significance of something.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The editorial decried the government's inaction on the climate crisis.
  • He decried the declining standards in modern journalism.
  • Critics decry the film as being overly sentimental and lacking substance.

Advanced Usage

• "to decry something as [adjective/noun]": to publicly condemn something by labeling it in a negative way.
  • The new policy was decried as a blatant violation of civil liberties.
• "to decry the lack of...": to express strong disapproval about the absence of something.
  • Activists decry the lack of affordable housing in the city.

Variants and Related Words

• Decrial (n, rare): The act of decrying; strong public disapproval.
  • The decrial of the proposal was swift and widespread.

Synonyms

• Condemn: To express complete disapproval of, typically in public.
• Denounce: To publicly declare something to be wrong or evil.
• Censure: To express severe disapproval, often formally.
• Deplore: To feel or express strong disapproval of something.

Antonyms

• Praise: To express warm approval or admiration.
• Applaud: To show approval or praise by clapping or spoken commendation.
• Commend: To praise formally or officially.
• Acclaim: To praise enthusiastically and publicly.

Related Phrases

• "to raise a cry against": This phrase is conceptually similar to "decry," meaning to protest or object to something loudly.
  • The community raised a cry against the planned demolition.

Verb

1. express strong disapproval of
   • We condemn the racism in South Africa
   • These ideas were reprobated