Deprecate vs. Depreciate — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 2, 2024
Deprecate means to express disapproval, whereas depreciate refers to a decrease in value over time, primarily used in financial contexts.
Difference Between Deprecate and Depreciate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Deprecate is primarily used to indicate disapproval or to argue against something. For example, "They deprecated the idea of reducing the research budget," highlighting its use in contexts of criticism. On the other hand, depreciate relates to the reduction in the value of assets over time, particularly in accounting, such as "The vehicle depreciates in value each year."
In software and technology, to deprecate means to phase out features in favor of newer ones, suggesting obsolescence but not immediate discontinuation. Whereas, depreciate in economic terms can describe currency devaluation, affecting entire economies.
Deprecation can carry a moral or subjective judgment, often reflecting an opinion or societal standard. Conversely, depreciation is a quantifiable and often planned process within businesses, impacting financial statements.
Both terms, though similar sounding, have distinctly different applications; deprecate involves a critical stance, whereas depreciate involves financial metrics.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Express disapproval of something.
Decrease in value over time.
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Context
General, criticism, technology.
Financial, economic.
Example Sentence
"The practice was deprecated as outdated."
"The machinery depreciated over five years."
Related to
Judgment, opinion.
Asset value, economics.
Measurement
Subjective assessment.
Objective, often calculated in percentages.
Compare with Definitions
Deprecate
To criticize or express dissatisfaction.
She deprecated his casual attitude toward safety.
Depreciate
To reflect the wear and tear on tangible assets.
The office furniture has depreciated since its purchase.
Deprecate
To denounce or argue against.
He deprecated the new policy as harmful to small businesses.
Depreciate
To decrease in value over time, especially for assets.
Cars depreciate rapidly during their first few years.
Deprecate
In technology, to mark something as obsolete.
The software feature was deprecated in the latest update.
Depreciate
To diminish in perceived value or worth.
The house depreciated after the market crash.
Deprecate
To belittle or diminish in importance.
The article deprecated the impact of social media on learning.
Depreciate
In accounting, to allocate the cost of an asset over its useful life.
We depreciate equipment over a 10-year period.
Deprecate
To express disapproval of something.
The community deprecated the outdated law.
Depreciate
To reduce the exchange value of currency.
The national currency depreciated against the dollar.
Deprecate
To express disapproval of; deplore.
Depreciate
To lessen the price or value of
An increase in the supply of money depreciated the currency.
Deprecate
To belittle; depreciate.
Depreciate
To write off an expenditure for (a tangible asset) by prorating over a certain period, usually the estimated useful life of the asset.
Deprecate
(Computers) To mark (a component of a software standard) as obsolete to warn against its use in the future so that it may be phased out.
Depreciate
To think or speak of as being of little worth; belittle. See Usage Note at deprecate.
Deprecate
(transitive) To belittle or express disapproval of.
He deprecates any praise of his own merits.
They deprecated the attempt to deny aid to homeless people.
She deprecated any action which might disturb the peace.
Depreciate
To diminish in price or value
"When issued in excess, as during the Revolution, paper depreciated in value" (Daniel Feller).
Deprecate
To declare something obsolescent; to recommend against a function, technique, command, etc. that still works but has been replaced.
The 'bold' tag has been deprecated in favour of the 'strong' tag.
It is still supported but strongly deprecated.
Depreciate
(transitive) To lessen in price or estimated value; to lower the worth of.
Deprecate
To pray against.
Depreciate
(intransitive) To decline in value over time.
Deprecate
To regret deeply.
Depreciate
(transitive) To belittle or disparage.
Deprecate
To pray against, as an evil; to seek to avert by prayer; to seek deliverance from; to express deep regret for; to desire the removal of.
Depreciate
To lessen in price or estimated value; to lower the worth of; to represent as of little value or claim to esteem; to undervalue.
Which . . . some over-severe philosophers may look upon fastidiously, or undervalue and depreciate.
To prove that the Americans ought not to be free, we are obliged to depreciate the value of freedom itself.
Deprecate
To protest against; to advance reasons against.
His purpose was deprecated by all round him, and he was with difficulty induced to adandon it.
Depreciate
To fall in value; to become of less worth; to sink in estimation; as, a paper currency will depreciate, unless it is convertible into specie.
Deprecate
To disapprove of strongly; to express a low opinion of.
Depreciate
Belittle;
The teacher should not deprecate his student's efforts
Deprecate
Express strong disapproval of; deplore
Depreciate
Lower the value of something;
The Fed depreciated the dollar once again
Deprecate
Belittle;
The teacher should not deprecate his student's efforts
Depreciate
Lose in value;
The dollar depreciated again
Common Curiosities
What does deprecate mean?
Deprecate means to express disapproval or criticism towards something.
What does it mean when a feature is deprecated in technology?
It means the feature is being phased out and may become unsupported in future updates.
Can deprecate and depreciate be used interchangeably?
No, they have different meanings and contexts; deprecate is about disapproval, depreciate about value reduction.
How do currencies depreciate?
Currencies depreciate due to economic factors, reducing their value in comparison to other currencies.
How is depreciate used in financial contexts?
Depreciate refers to the reduction in the value of an asset over time due to use and obsolescence.
Is depreciation always a planned process?
In accounting, depreciation is planned, but market-driven depreciation can be unplanned.
Why is depreciation important in accounting?
It helps businesses accurately report the decreasing values of their assets and allocate cost over time.
What is an example of depreciation in business?
Depreciation occurs when businesses spread out the cost of tangible assets over their expected lifespan.
What does it mean to deprecate someone's opinion?
It means to express disapproval or criticism of that opinion.
Can deprecate be positive?
Typically, deprecate has a negative connotation, involving criticism or disapproval.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
