Word
decry
Phoneticsde·cry, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈkɹaɪ/
UK/dɪkɹˈaɪ/
Definition
v. to say publicly that something is bad or wrong. You use it when people strongly criticize an idea, action, or plan.
v. to publicly condemn or express strong disapproval of something. Often applied to policies, practices, or public statements.
Examples
“Many parents decry violence in video games.”
“The mayor decried the cuts to school funding at a press conference yesterday.”
“Although critics decried the novel as bleak and joyless, later readers praised its honest portrait of grief and survival.”
Examples
simple
“Many parents decry violence in video games.”
contextual
“The mayor decried the cuts to school funding at a press conference yesterday.”
complex
“Although critics decried the novel as bleak and joyless, later readers praised its honest portrait of grief and survival.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “decry” in context.
Verb
01. activists decry
“Activists decry the lack of action on climate change.”
noun + verb
02. critics decry
“Critics decry the plan as vague and financially irresponsible.”
noun + verb
03. decry corruption
“Protesters decry corruption and call for transparent elections.”
verb + noun
04. decry decision
“Unions were quick to decry the decision to close three hospitals.”
verb + noun
05. decry injustice
“Writers have long used their work to decry injustice and inequality.”
verb + noun
06. decry policy
“Environmental groups decry the new energy policy as reckless.”
verb + noun
07. decry racism
“Players continue to decry racism in football and demand stronger sanctions.”
verb + noun
08. decry violence
“Community leaders decry violence and urge residents to protest peacefully.”
verb + noun
09. opponents decry
“Opponents decry the reform as an attack on free speech.”
noun + verb
Adjective
10. openly decry
“Several athletes openly decried the committee's decision to ban protests.”
adv + verb
11. decry something as unjust
“Opponents decry the new law as unjust and discriminatory.”
12. decry the use of violence
“Religious leaders decry the use of violence to resolve disputes.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.
Real-World Examples
“Experts have decried the African experiment as “ horribly unethical and cruel ”, “ neocolonialist ” and “ damaging ”.” “Real improvement requires a structural shift away from the “leave it to Tesco” approach decried by Prof Tim Lang , a leading food-policy expert.” “He lands first in Athens, where he is welcomed by graffiti decrying the spread of short-term rentals for tourists, written deliberately in English – it is just about the only sign he can understand.” “Four of the GOP senators – Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and John Curtis – joined some of their Democratic colleagues on the foreign relations committee to decry the move over the weekend.” Etymology
C. 1600, from Middle French decrier (“to denigrate; depreciate”), from Old French descrier (“to shout”) (modern décrier). Doublet of descry. The pejorative meaning had not been present in the Middle English loan, but it was present in the French word from at least the 13th century, with a meaning of "to denigrate; depreciate; to announce the depreciation or suppression of a currency", presumably from the interpretation of de- as meaning "down, inferior".
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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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