depreciate
verb
de·pre·ci·ate di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt 
depreciated; depreciating
transitive verb
1
: to lower in honor or esteem
often depreciates the importance of her work
2
a
: to lower the price or estimated value of
depreciate property
b
: to deduct from taxable income a portion of the original cost of (a business asset) over several years as the value of the asset decreases
intransitive verb
: to fall in value
advised us to sell the stock before it depreciates
depreciable
di-ˈprē-shə-bəl
adjective depreciatingly
di-ˈprē-shē-ˌā-tiŋ-lē
adverb depreciation
di-ˌprē-shē-ˈā-shən
noun depreciative
di-ˈprē-shə-tiv
adjective -shē-ˌā-tiv
depreciator
di-ˈprē-shē-ˌā-tər
noun depreciatory
di-ˈprē-shə-ˌtȯr-ē
adjective 
Synonyms
- attenuate
- break
- cheapen
- depress
- devaluate
- devalue
- downgrade
- lower
- mark down
- reduce
- sink
- write down
- write off
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
These changes have greatly depreciated the value of the house. The value of the house has depreciated greatly.
Recent Examples on the Web That provision, which has been the legislation’s biggest revenue raiser, will now let those companies depreciate their equipment costs more quickly, lowering the government’s tax take and helping manufacturers who buy expensive machinery. 
Erin Prater, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2022 And, if Japan started having inflation, the yen should also depreciate. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 15 July 2022 Generally speaking, when geopolitical turmoil affects a country, their currency will depreciate and their imports or exports will be impacted. Michael Mirarchi, Forbes, 9 June 2022 Each CryptoKitty is unique and owned by the user, ownership is validated on the Ethereum blockchain, and its value can appreciate or depreciate based on market demand. Leeor Shimron, Forbes, 13 May 2021 Before the pandemic, the first-year drop in value was about 33.3%, and then the car would continue to depreciate, at an average rate of 14% in each year after that, according to research firm J.D. Power. Nora Eckert, WSJ, 11 Feb. 2022 Some are buying electronics and appliances before their rubles depreciate further. Tiffany Ap, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2022 As the governments depreciate the dollar, the value of your debt will fall just like the government’s bonds. Dr. Philip Fischer, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2022 The price of real estate could depreciate quickly depending on the popularity of a certain platform, resulting in major losses. Marco Quiroz-gutierrez, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2022 See More
Erin Prater, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2022 And, if Japan started having inflation, the yen should also depreciate. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 15 July 2022 Generally speaking, when geopolitical turmoil affects a country, their currency will depreciate and their imports or exports will be impacted. Michael Mirarchi, Forbes, 9 June 2022 Each CryptoKitty is unique and owned by the user, ownership is validated on the Ethereum blockchain, and its value can appreciate or depreciate based on market demand. Leeor Shimron, Forbes, 13 May 2021 Before the pandemic, the first-year drop in value was about 33.3%, and then the car would continue to depreciate, at an average rate of 14% in each year after that, according to research firm J.D. Power. Nora Eckert, WSJ, 11 Feb. 2022 Some are buying electronics and appliances before their rubles depreciate further. Tiffany Ap, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2022 As the governments depreciate the dollar, the value of your debt will fall just like the government’s bonds. Dr. Philip Fischer, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2022 The price of real estate could depreciate quickly depending on the popularity of a certain platform, resulting in major losses. Marco Quiroz-gutierrez, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Late Latin depretiatus, past participle of depretiare, from Latin de- + pretium price — more at price entry 1
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids Definition
depreciate
verb
de·pre·ci·ate di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt
depreciated; depreciating
1
: belittle
He often depreciates his own talent.
2
: to lower the price or value of
3
: to lose value
New cars depreciate rapidly.
Legal Definition
depreciate
verb
de·pre·ci·ate di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt
depreciated; depreciating
transitive verb
: to subject to depreciation : lower the value of
intransitive verb
: to fall in value compare appreciate
depreciates
verb
1
as in reduces
to diminish the price or value of a faded finish will really depreciate your car when you decide to trade it in Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- reduces
- devalues
- lowers
- depresses
- devaluates
- attenuates
- cheapens
- shrinks
- sinks
- downgrades
- debases
- marks down
- writes down
- writes off
- undervalues
- breaks
- underestimates
- underrates
- dwindles
- lessens
- deflates
- compresses
- downsizes
- underprices
- abridges
- demonetizes
- contracts
- moderates
- de-escalates
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- enhances
- appreciates
- inflates
- upgrades
- increases
- overvalues
- overestimates
- adds
- multiplies
- augments
- extends
- bloats
- blows up
- expands
- maximizes
- enlarges
- marks up
- heightens
- amplifies
- escalates
- dilates
- boosts
- raises
- ups
- swells
- overrates
- overprices
- compounds
- aggrandizes
- balloons
2
as in diminishes
to express scornfully one's low opinion of dared to depreciate Shakespeare, saying his works have no relevance for modern audiences Synonyms & Similar Words
- diminishes
- dismisses
- minimizes
- denigrates
- criticizes
- belittles
- disparages
- derogates
- deprecates
- discounts
- decries
- trashes
- dumps on
- denounces
- talks down
- runs down
- cries down
- dislikes
- bad-mouths
- plays down
- condemns
- discredits
- writes off
- disses
- vilipends
- poor-mouths
- trash-talks
- scolds
- kisses off
- abuses
- maligns
- puts down
- slanders
- disgraces
- vilifies
- discommends
- defames
- traduces
- censures
- rips
- reprehends
- asperses
- slurs
- disapproves (of)
- reprobates
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- exalts
- magnifies
- praises
- applauds
- extols
- lauds
- approves
- glorifies
- recommends
- endorses
- favors
- indorses
- extolls
- commends
- acclaims
- sanctions
- compliments
- countenances
- eulogizes