deprecate
DEP-rih-kaytverbMeaning to express disapproval of; also, to play down
Memory hook DEPRE-CAT-e: the CAT disapproves. The cat sniffs the fancy new cushion, wrinkles her nose and stalks away: she deprecates it.
The museum guide politely deprecated touching the paintings.
In context Though Dev had scored the winning goal, he deprecated his own part in the game, insisting that his teammates had done all the hard work.
Similar disapprove of, criticize, play down
Opposite approve, endorse, praise
From Latin deprecari, “to pray against, to ward off”: de- (away) + precari (to pray).