Word
decried
Phoneticsde·cried, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈkɹaɪd/
UK/dɪkɹˈaɪd/
Definition
v. to say in public that something is bad or wrong. You use it when leaders or critics strongly criticize an action or idea.
v. to condemn or denounce publicly as bad, harmful, or morally wrong. Typically applied to policies, practices, or public statements.
Examples
“Many parents decry violence in children's cartoons.”
“The mayor decried the cuts to bus services at last night's meeting.”
“Critics decried the novel's ending as rushed, though readers continued to praise its sharp dialogue and vivid setting.”
Examples
simple
“Many parents decry violence in children's cartoons.”
contextual
“The mayor decried the cuts to bus services at last night's meeting.”
complex
“Critics decried the novel's ending as rushed, though readers continued to praise its sharp dialogue and vivid setting.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “decried” in context.
Verb
01. activists decry
“Activists decried the decision to cut funding for shelters.”
noun + verb
02. critics decry
“Critics decried the plan as costly and completely unworkable.”
noun + verb
03. decry corruption
“The report decried widespread corruption in the procurement system.”
verb + noun
04. decry decision
“Unions decried the decision to close three regional factories.”
verb + noun
05. decry proposal
“Environmentalists decried the proposal to drill in the nature reserve.”
verb + noun
06. decry racism
“She decried racism in the criminal justice system.”
verb + noun
07. decry violence
“Leaders decried the violence against peaceful demonstrators.”
verb + noun
Noun
08. decry as immoral
“Clergy decried the policy as immoral and inhumane.”
verb + as + adj
09. decry as undemocratic
“Observers decried the emergency decree as undemocratic.”
verb + as + adj
10. decry as unjust
“Lawyers decried the verdict as unjust and politically motivated.”
verb + as + adj
11. decry the move as cynical
“Analysts decried the move as a cynical attempt to win votes.”
12. decry violence against women
“The marchers decried violence against women and demanded reform.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object, often followed by 'as' to state the criticism.
Real-World Examples
“There was also the decision, decried by human rights groups, to withdraw Temporary Protected Status from 4,000 Burmese who had sought sanctuary in the US.” “Leo, the first U.S. pope, also decried leaders who used religious language to justify wars and urged a "decisive change of course" in a meeting in the biggest city in Cameroon’s anglophone regions, where a simmering conflict going back nearly a decade has left thousands dead.” “About 2,000 protesters with the Occupy Wall Street movement marched through New York's financial district on Saturday ahead of a planned rally in Times Square as demonstrators in cities around the world decried economic inequality.” Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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