depreciatory
/di'pri:ʃieitiv/ Cách viết khác : (depreciatory) /di'pri:ʃjətəri/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Expressing a low opinion; belittling or disparaging: Used to describe words, remarks, or attitudes that criticize or suggest something has little value or importance.
- Tending to decrease in value: Used in economic or financial contexts to describe something that causes or undergoes a reduction in monetary worth.
Usage and Examples
- As an adjective expressing disparagement:
- His review was filled with depreciatory comments about the film's plot.
- She made a depreciatory remark about his old-fashioned ideas.
- As an adjective related to decreasing value:
- The depreciatory trend of the currency worried investors.
- The report analyzed the depreciatory effects of the new tax on property prices.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- In formal or literary criticism: Often used to describe a tone of dismissive criticism.
- The critic's depreciatory tone failed to acknowledge the novel's innovative style.
- In economic discourse: Used to describe factors, policies, or market forces that lead to depreciation.
- The central bank intervened to counteract the depreciatory pressure on the national currency.
Variants and Related Words
- Depreciate (verb): To fall in value over time; to belittle or disparage.
- The car will depreciate rapidly.
- He tends to depreciate the achievements of others.
- Depreciation (noun): A reduction in the value of an asset over time; the act of belittling.
- The depreciation of the machinery was calculated for the tax return.
- Depreciative (adjective): Synonymous with the disparaging sense of 'depreciatory'.
- His depreciative attitude was demoralizing.
Synonyms
- Disparaging: Expressing the opinion that something is of little worth.
- Belittling: Dismissing someone or something as unimportant.
- Derogatory: Showing a critical or disrespectful attitude.
- Deprecatory (Note: Often used interchangeably in the disparaging sense, though 'deprecatory' can more strongly imply apology or regret).
Antonyms
- Appreciatory: Showing gratitude or approval.
- Complimentary: Expressing praise or admiration.
- Flattering: Full of praise, sometimes excessively so.
Notes on Usage
- The disparaging sense is more common in general usage than the economic sense.
- Can be confused with deprecatory. While often used synonymously for criticism, deprecatory more frequently implies an element of mild disapproval or a desire to avoid offense, sometimes even self-disparagement (e.g., a smile). Depreciatory is more directly associated with actively diminishing worth or value.
Adjective
- tending to diminish or disparage
- belittling comments
- managed a deprecating smile at the compliment
- deprecatory remarks about the book
- a slighting remark
- tending to decrease or cause a decrease in value
- a depreciating currency
- depreciatory effects on prices