de-

Usage

• desiccate

  Something that is desiccated has had all the water taken out of it; this is a common process used for food in order to preserve it.

• demure

  If you describe someone, usually a young woman, as demure, you mean that she is quiet, shy, and always behaves modestly.

• decry

  To decry something is to speak against it and find fault with it.

• denude

  To denude an area is to remove the plants and trees that cover it; it can also mean to make something bare.

• decrepitude

  Decrepitude is the state of being very old, worn out, or very ill; therefore, something or someone is no longer in good physical condition or good health.

• deluge

  A deluge is a sudden, heavy downfall of rain; it can also be a large number of things, such as papers or e-mails, that someone gets all at the same time, making them very difficult to handle.

• denigrate

  If you denigrate something, you criticize or speak ill of it in a way that shows you think it has little to no value at all.

• derelict

  Something, such as a building, is derelict if it is empty, not used, and in bad condition or disrepair.

• deportment

  Your deportment is the way you behave, walk, and stand in public.

• delusive

  Something that is delusive deceives you by giving a false belief about yourself or the situation you are in.

• demur

  If you demur, you delay in doing or mildly object to something because you don't really want to do it.

• depravity

  Depravity is behavior that is immoral, corrupt, or evil.

• definitive

  A definitive opinion on an issue cannot be challenged; therefore, it is the final word or the most authoritative pronouncement on that issue.

• deprivation

  Deprivation is a state during which people lack something, especially adequate food and shelter; deprivation can also describe something being taken away from someone.

• desolate

  A desolate area is unused, empty of life, deserted, and lonely.

• devoid

  When an area is devoid of life, it is empty or completely lacking in it.

• demean

  When you demean another person, you put them down so that they become embarrassed and lowered in status or character.

• deplorable

  When someone's conduct is deplorable, it is shameful, very unacceptable, or really bad.

• depict

  When you depict something, you illustrate it with a picture or image and/or describe it using words.

• define

  When you define something, such as a word, you state or explain its meaning.

• deprive

  When someone deprives you of something, they keep it away from you so that you have none of it.

• devote

  When you devote yourself to something, such as helping the homeless or being the best student you can be, you spend a lot of time and put forth a lot of effort doing it.

• demand

  When you demand an action, you give a strong order to do it.

• demonstrate

  When you demonstrate something, you show it clearly or present it for people to see.

• declare

  When you declare something, you say something official that is important, true, or happening right now.

• deride

  treat or speak of with contempt