Definitions

decry

[dih-krahy] / dɪˈkraɪ /

VERB

criticize, blame

Synonyms

STRONGEST

belittle condemn denounce minimize

STRONG

abuse asperse calumniate censure defame depreciate derogate detract devalue diminish discount discredit disgrace disparage downgrade hit knock lower malign pan rap reprehend reprobate slam traduce underestimate underrate undervalue vilify

WEAK

bad-mouth cry down do a number on dump on mark down opprobriate poor-mouth put down rail against run down take swipe at throw stones at write off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

approve praise

STRONG

commend compliment esteem exaggerate exalt flatter honor increase laud overestimate overrate overvalue raise respect sanction

WEAK

applaud

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One can decry Broadway’s fearful economic dependence on the familiar while still recognizing, as this sampling of the spring musical season illustrates, that all art is fundamentally an act of reinvention.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

It is not enough to decry the damage done by DOGE’s destruction.

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2026

Black activists decry a ‘Free Palestine’ mural as offensive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Decorating their soldiers with colourful garlands, hundreds of Afghans rallied in border provinces to decry Pakistan killing civilians and to show support for their troops battling at the frontier.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

However, all writers about them, from Romans to modern zookeepers, decry their irascible temper and their nasty habit of biting people.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Vocabulary lists containing decry

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This Week in Words: October 28 - November 2, 2018

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"The Ransom of Red Chief" by O. Henry

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