deprecate, depreciate

Deprecate means “to express disapproval of something or someone.”

  • He deprecated his son’s daily diet of video games.

Note that in computer programming there is also a modern usage meaning “to make less important or to discourage the use of.”

  • It is time to deprecate those obsolete programming codes: avoid using them, and encourage others to do the same.

Depreciate means “to decrease in value,” especially in monetary value.

  • A new car depreciates by 20 percent as soon as it is driven off the dealer’s lot.
  • As your business equipment depreciates, you may claim Capital Cost Allowance.

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