to speak disparagingly of; denounce as faulty or worthless; express censure of

She decried the lack of support for the arts in this country.

to condemn or depreciate by proclamation, as foreign or obsolete coins.

verb

applaud , compliment , exalt , laud , praise

verb

abuse , asperse , bad-mouth * , belittle , calumniate , censure , condemn , cry down , defame , denounce , depreciate , derogate , detract , devalue , diminish , discount , discredit , disgrace , disparage , do a number on , downgrade , dump on , hit * , knock * , lower , malign , mark down , minimize , opprobriate , pan * , poor-mouth , put down , rail against , rap , reprehend , reprobate , run down , slam * , take away , take swipe at , throw stones at , traduce , underestimate , underrate , undervalue , vilify , write off , denigrate , deprecate , slight , talk down , blame , criticize , degrade , disapprove , lessen , slur