(v. t.) To pray or hope against, as an evil; to seek to avert by prayer\; to desire the removal of; to seek deliverance from; to express deep regret for; to disapprove of strongly.

belittle bemoan bewail de-emphasize denigrate deplore depreciate derogate despise detract discommend discountenance disdain disesteem disfavor disparage dispraise disvalue downplay frown hold in contempt lament make light of make little of make nothing of minimize misestimate misprize object play down put down ridicule sell short set at naught set little by shrug off think little of think nothing of underestimate underplay underprize underrate underreckon undervalue