deprecatory
/dɛprəˈkeɪtəri
/adjective
1Expressing disapproval; disapproving.That can seem like a loss of regard for others’ feelings, as if we had become more self-centred, the ‘me-generation’ in Tom Wolfe's deprecatory phrase....
- No doubt, the Government's somewhat dismissive and deprecatory attitude towards those opposed to ratification succeeded in turning off a big section of the electorate.
- During the meeting the President spoke in deprecatory terms of the model course of school drill now practised in our schools.
Synonyms
disapproving, censorious, censuring, critical, scathing, damning, damnatory, condemnatory, condemning, denunciatory;
castigatory, reproachful, reproving, upbraiding, admonishing
informal slating, knocking
rare reprobative, reprobatory
disparaging, belittling, denigratory, derogatory, discrediting, diminishing, detracting, deflating, negative, unflattering, slighting;
disdainful, derisive, snide, sneering, mocking, jibing
1.1Apologetic or appeasing: a deprecatory smile...
- ‘Hey, listen’, I said, with a wry self - deprecatory shake of the head, ‘You don't want to hear a superannuated sociologist propounding half - baked theories.
- The beauty of our homegrown varieties of eccentricity is in the triumph of a poised, moderate balance, coupled with a dose of thoroughly deprecatory satire.
- He compèred for the corporation and the bands submitted to interviews with him and made the right deprecatory noises.
Synonyms
apologetic, regretful, full of regret, sorry, remorseful, contrite, penitent, repentant, rueful, appeasing;
conscience-stricken, red-faced, shamefaced, sheepish, hangdog
rare propitiatory, compunctious