depreciate
verb
de·pre·ci·ate
di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt 
depreciated; depreciating
1
: to lower in honor or esteem
often depreciates the importance of their work
2
a
: to lower the price or estimated value of
depreciate property
b
: to deduct from taxable income a portion of the original cost of (a business asset) over several years as the value of the asset decreases
: to fall in value
advised us to sell the stock before it depreciates
Examples of depreciate in a Sentence
These changes have greatly depreciated the value of the house.
The value of the house has depreciated greatly.
Recent Examples on the Web
As business needs evolve and new technologies reshape the workplace, employee skills can depreciate just like any other asset if they aren't continuously developed.
—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Emergency measures to shed inefficient commitments attached to depreciating assets and clear the decks for the purpose of accumulating future value over the next 24 months will be required to turn this particular franchise around.
—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
28 June 2026
During their useful life, the assets purchased with CapEx almost always depreciate, or lose value.
—
Colin Dodds,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
26 June 2026
And because the capital that went into that machine is depreciating, right?
—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for depreciate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Emergency measures to shed inefficient commitments attached to depreciating assets and clear the decks for the purpose of accumulating future value over the next 24 months will be required to turn this particular franchise around.
—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
28 June 2026
During their useful life, the assets purchased with CapEx almost always depreciate, or lose value.
—
Colin Dodds,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
26 June 2026
And because the capital that went into that machine is depreciating, right?
—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for depreciate
Cite this Entry
“Depreciate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depreciate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
depreciate
verb
de·pre·ci·ate
di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt
depreciated; depreciating
1
: to lower the price or value of
depreciate the currency
2
: to represent as of little value : disparage
3
: to fall in value
new cars depreciate rapidly
depreciative
adjective
-ˈprē-shət-iv,
-shē-ˌāt-iv
Legal Definition
depreciate
verb
de·pre·ci·ate
di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt
depreciated; depreciating
: to subject to depreciation : lower the value of
: to fall in value compare appreciate
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