Quick answer: Deprecate means to express disapproval of something, or, in technology, to officially discourage the use of something because it will be phased out: This function is deprecated and will be removed in the next version. Depreciate means to decrease in value over time, especially of money or assets: New cars depreciate quickly. For a fuller definition, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for ‘deprecate’.
Comparison Table
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| deprecate | verb | to express disapproval of; to mark as obsolete or discouraged (esp. in software) | The old API is deprecated in favour of the new one. |
| depreciate | verb | to decrease in value over time, especially of money, assets, or property | The laptop depreciated by half in two years. |
Using Deprecate
Deprecate traditionally means to express strong disapproval of something. In modern technical English, it has a specialised meaning: to officially mark a feature, method, or product as outdated and discouraged, usually because it will eventually be removed.
Critics deprecated the government's handling of the crisis.
This method has been deprecated; use the newer version instead.
She deprecated any suggestion of using outdated safety equipment.
The library deprecates several legacy functions in this release.
Using Depreciate
Depreciate means to lose value over time. It is most common in finance and accounting (assets losing value) but can also mean to belittle or undervalue something, similar to "disparage".
Cars typically depreciate by 20% in the first year.
The equipment will depreciate over its useful life for tax purposes.
He tends to depreciate his own achievements.
The currency depreciated sharply against the dollar.
Memory Trick
DepreCIATE shares its root with "price" and "appreciate" (its opposite, meaning to increase in value) — think money. DePREcate is about disapproving or phasing out (compare "deprecatory", meaning disapproving) — think disapproval, not money.
Common Mistakes
✗ The car deprecated in value after the accident.
✓ The car depreciated in value after the accident.
✗ This function is depreciated in the new release.
✓ This function is deprecated in the new release.
In tech contexts, "deprecated" (marked as discouraged/obsolete) is almost always the correct word, not "depreciated".
Tips to Avoid Confusion
- Ask: is something losing financial value? Use depreciate.
- Ask: is something being officially discouraged, disapproved of, or phased out? Use deprecate.
- In software documentation, always check for "deprecated" — it is almost never "depreciated".
- Remember the opposite of depreciate is appreciate (gain value); deprecate has no direct financial opposite.
For more on related grammar, see word formation. Also confusing: Allude vs Elude, Allusion vs Illusion, Adapt vs Adopt. Browse all confusing word pairs →
Quick Check: Deprecate or Depreciate?
4 fill-in-the-blank questions — choose the correct word for each sentence.
1. “This API method is ___ and will be removed next year.”
2. “Most electronics ___ rapidly once a new model is released.”
3. “The critic ___ the film's lazy script.”
4. “The property ___ due to nearby construction noise.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between deprecate and depreciate?
Deprecate means to express disapproval of something, or in technology, to officially mark a feature as obsolete or discouraged: "This method is deprecated." Depreciate means to decrease in value over time, especially financially: "New cars depreciate quickly." The words are unrelated in meaning despite similar spelling.
Why is 'deprecated' used so often in programming?
In software development, "deprecated" marks functions, methods, or APIs that still work but are officially discouraged because they will be removed in a future version. Developers are told to migrate away from deprecated code before it stops being supported.
Can depreciate be used outside of finance?
Yes, depreciate can also mean to belittle or undervalue something or someone: "He tends to depreciate his own contribution to the project." This sense is less common than the financial one but is still correct.
What is depreciation in accounting?
Depreciation is the accounting method of allocating the cost of a tangible asset (like machinery or vehicles) over its useful life, reflecting the asset's declining value over time. It is a core concept in business and finance courses.
Is there a noun form of deprecate?
Yes — the noun is 'deprecation': "the deprecation of outdated safety practices" or, in tech, "a deprecation warning". This describes the act of disapproving of or discouraging something.
What does 'self-deprecating humour' mean?
Self-deprecating humour is joking that puts oneself down or downplays one's own abilities and achievements, often as a form of modesty: "He made a self-deprecating joke about his cooking." This uses deprecate, not depreciate.
Can an asset appreciate instead of depreciate?
Yes — appreciate is the opposite of depreciate, meaning to increase in value: "Property in this area has appreciated significantly." Assets like cars usually depreciate, while assets like land or art can often appreciate.
What are common synonyms for deprecate?
Synonyms for deprecate include disapprove of, discourage, criticise, and (in tech) phase out or sunset. None of these relate to financial value, which helps distinguish it clearly from depreciate.
What are common synonyms for depreciate?
Synonyms for depreciate include devalue, lose value, decline in worth, and (less commonly) belittle. These relate to value or worth, not disapproval, distinguishing it from deprecate.
How can I remember deprecate vs depreciate?
Link depreciate to 'price' and 'appreciate' (its financial opposite) — both are about value. Link deprecate to 'deprecatory' and 'disapprove' — both are about criticism or discouragement, not money. If money or value is involved, use depreciate; if disapproval or obsolescence is involved, use deprecate.