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denounce
(v.) to speak out against; condemn
A student rally was called to denounce the use of drugs on campus.
depict
(v.) to portray; describe
The mural depicts the life of a typical urban dweller.
deplete
(v.) to reduce; to empty, exhaust
Having to pay the entire bill will deplete the family's savings.
deposition
(n.) a removal from office or power; a testimony
Failing to act lawfully could result in his deposition.
She met with her lawyer this morning to review her deposition.
depravity
(n.) moral corruption; badness
Drugs and money caused depravity throughout the once decorous community.
The depravity of the old man was bound to land him in jail one day.
deprecate
(v.) to express disapproval of; to protest against
The environmentalists deprecated the paper companies for cutting down
ancient forests.
The organization will deprecate the opening of the sewage plant.
depredation
(n.) a plundering or laying waste
The pharaoh's once rich tomb was empty after centuries of depredation
from grave robbers.
deride
(v.) to laugh at with contempt; to mock
No matter what he said, he was derided.
It is impolite to deride someone even if you dislike him.
derision
(n.) the act of mocking; ridicule, mockery
A day of derision from the boss left the employee feeling depressed.
Constant derision from classmates made him quit school.
derisive
(adj.) showing disrespect or scorn for
The derisive comment was aimed at the man's life long enemy.
derogatory
(adj.) belittling; uncomplimentary
He was upset because his annual review was full of derogatory comments.
descant
(v.) lengthy talking or writing
The man will descant on the subject if you give him too much speaking
time.
desecrate
(v.) to profane; violate the sanctity of
The teenagers' attempt to desecrate the church disturbed the community.
desist
(v.) to stop or cease
The judge ordered the man to desist from calling his ex-wife in the middle
of the night.
desolate
(adj.) to be left alone or made lonely
Driving down the desolate road had Kelvin worried that he wouldn't reach
a gas station in time.
despoil
(v.) to take everything; plunder
The Huns despoiled village after village.
despotism
(n.) tyranny; absolute power or influence
The ruler's despotism went uncontested for 30 years.
destitute
(adj.) poor; poverty-stricken
One Bangladeshi bank makes loans to destitute citizens so that they may
overcome their poverty.
Many of the city's sections are destitute.
desultory
(adj.) moving in a random, directionless manner
The thefts were occurring in a desultory manner making them difficult
to track.
detached
(adj.) separated; not interested; standing alone
Detached from modern conveniences, the islanders live a simple, unhurried
life.
deter
(v.) to prevent; to discourage; hinder
He deterred the rabbits by putting down garlic around the garden.
determinate
(adj.) distinct limits
The new laws were very determinate as far as what was allowed and what
was not allowed.
devoid
(adj.) lacking; empty
The interplanetary probe indicated that the planet was devoid of any atmosphere.
dexterous
(adj.) skillful, quick mentally or physically
The dexterous gymnast was the epitome of grace on the balance beam.
diatribe
(n.) a bitter or abusive speech
During the divorce hearings she delivered a diatribe full of the emotion
pushing her away from her husband.
The diatribe was directed towards a disrespectful supervisor.
dichotomy
(n.) a division into two parts or kinds
The dichotomy within the party threatens to split it.
The dichotomy between church and state renders school prayer unconstitutional.
dictum
(n.) a formal statement of either fact or opinion
Computer programmers have a dictum: garbage in, garbage out.
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