deprecatory.

1. Expressing disapproval, criticism, or disparagement.

2. Expressing an apologetic, modest, or placating attitude intended to soften a response.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• a deprecatory remark
• deprecatory criticism

On the page

A deprecatory remark undid the welcome she had carefully prepared.

He heard deprecatory criticism in the question but answered its practical point.

Usage notes

Primary category: literary. Forms: Comparative more deprecatory; superlative most deprecatory where gradation is meaningful. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings.