Definition of "deprecate" [dep•re•cate]

• To express disapproval of; deplore. (verb-transitive)
• To belittle; depreciate. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "He used words like 'deprecate' and 'wanton act of violence', he adopted a tone that was selfless and a pose that was statesmanlike, but being noble wasn't enough."
• ""deprecate" in programming terminology -- bits of code."
• "To deprecate surgery for the elderly because 32% of elderly Americans undergo surgery in the year before they die is like deprecating automobile brakes because 32% of fatal-accident victims hit the brakes in the few seconds before they die."