Practice Decry with Flashcards, Spelling and Quizzes

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Advocacy and Support

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Approval and Endorsement

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Complaint and Discontent

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Denial and Defiance

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Disdain and Contempt

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Objection and Disapproval

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decry

Decry (verb) – Meaning, Examples & Etymology

verb

IPA:

/dɪˈkrʌɪ/

What does decry mean?

To speak out strongly against something, often in public, because of disapproval or condemnation.
"The citizens will decry the government's decision to raise taxes."

Detailed Meaning of Decry

It is characterized by a strong and vocal opposition to a particular idea, action or behavior and is often used as a verb in the form of public criticism. Decry can also mean to belittle or to undervalue something or someone. An example of a sentence using the word decry would be "The activists decried the government's decision to cut funding for the program, calling it a setback for the community."

Example Sentences for Decry

1. Environmental activists decry the government's lax approach to pollution control.
2. Critics decry the film's portrayal of violence as gratuitous and harmful.
3. The opposition party continues to decry the ruling party's policies.
4. Advocates for social justice decry systemic inequalities in society.
5. Many parents decry the excessive screen time their children have.
6. Animal rights activists decry the inhumane treatment of factory farm animals.

Origin and Etymology of Decry

The verb 'decry' has its origins in Middle English and can be traced back to the Old French word 'descryer,' which means 'to denounce' or 'to condemn.' The Old French term, in turn, derived from the Latin word 'discredere,' composed of 'dis,' meaning 'completely,' and 'credere,' meaning 'to believe' or 'to trust.' Therefore, 'decry' etymologically conveys the idea of expressing strong disapproval or condemnation by disbelieving or rejecting something completely. When one 'decries' something, they are publicly denouncing it, often in a critical or condemnatory manner, highlighting its historical association with vocal expressions of disapproval and objection.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the verb decry:

applaud

condemn

praise

laud

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Correct!

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More Usage Examples of Decry

1. Healthcare professionals decry the lack of access to affordable care.
2. Journalists decry censorship as a threat to press freedom.
3. Protesters decry police brutality and demand reform.
4. Conservationists decry the destruction of natural habitats.
5. Human rights organizations decry the use of torture in detention centers.
6. The environmentalists will decry the deforestation plans at the conference.
7. Human rights groups often decry violations of international law.
8. The teacher will decry any form of cheating during the examination.
9. Journalists will decry censorship that limits their freedom to report.
10. The union will decry the lack of safety measures in the workplace.
11. The community will decry the closure of the local hospital at the town meeting.
12. The investors will decry the company's unethical business practices at the shareholders' meeting.
13. The principal will decry the use of mobile phones in classrooms.
14. The activists will decry animal cruelty at the protest march.
15. The artist will decry the lack of support for the arts during his speech.
16. The parents will decry the increase in school fees at the PTA meeting.
17. The experts will decry the misinformation spread about vaccines.
18. The veterans will decry the inadequate support for former military personnel.
19. The athletes will decry the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports.
20. The author will decry plagiarism in the literary community during her interview.
21. The consumer protection group will decry the deceptive marketing tactics used by the company.
22. The local businesses will decry the construction that blocks access to their stores.
23. The film director will decry the lack of diversity in the industry at the award ceremony.
24. She decried the poor working conditions in the factory.