“appreciate” can carry more than one shade of meaning, so a single list of strict antonyms would be misleading. These 16 contrasts—including Disregard, Neglect, and Dismiss—show the most useful oppositions by context.
Which Contrast to “Appreciate” Fits Best?
- Disregard
- Neglect
- Dismiss
- Overlook
- Disdain
- Scorn
- Undervalue
- Ignore
- Reject
- Discount
- Devalue
- Belittle
- Take for granted
- Snub
- Depreciate
- Misunderstand
Disregard
Disregard provides a contextual contrast to “appreciate” for the sense “pay little or no attention to something.”
Example: The editor selected “Disregard” as the more precise wording in the final draft.
Neglect
Neglect provides a contextual contrast to “appreciate” for the sense “fail to give something proper care or attention.”
Example: In the revised sentence, the writer chose “Neglect” to match the intended sense.
Dismiss
Dismiss provides a contextual contrast to “appreciate” for the sense “treat something as unworthy of consideration.”
Example: The final version used “Dismiss” because it fit the context more accurately.
Overlook
Overlook provides a contextual contrast to “appreciate” for the sense “fail to notice or recognize something.”
Example: The copy editor recommended “Overlook” as the clearer choice for that passage.
Disdain
Disdain provides a contextual contrast to “appreciate” for the sense “regard something with contempt rather than esteem.”
Example: The editor selected “Disdain” as the more precise wording in the final draft.
Scorn
Scorn provides a contextual contrast to “appreciate” for the sense “show strong contempt rather than admiration.”
Example: In the revised sentence, the writer chose “Scorn” to match the intended sense.
Undervalue
Undervalue provides a contextual contrast to “appreciate” for the sense “judge something as worth less than it is.”
Example: The final version used “Undervalue” because it fit the context more accurately.
Ignore
Ignore provides a contextual contrast to “appreciate” for the sense “deliberately or effectively pay no attention.”
Example: The copy editor recommended “Ignore” as the clearer choice for that passage.
Reject
Reject provides a contextual contrast to “appreciate” for the sense “refuse to accept or welcome something.”
Example: The editor selected “Reject” as the more precise wording in the final draft.
Discount
Discount provides a contextual contrast to “appreciate” for the sense “reduce the importance or credibility given to something.”
Example: In the revised sentence, the writer chose “Discount” to match the intended sense.
Devalue
Devalue provides a contextual contrast to “appreciate” for the sense “lower the perceived worth of something.”
Example: The final version used “Devalue” because it fit the context more accurately.
Belittle
Belittle provides a contextual contrast to “appreciate” for the sense “make something or someone seem less important.”
Example: The copy editor recommended “Belittle” as the clearer choice for that passage.
Take for granted
Take for granted provides a contextual contrast to “appreciate” for the sense “fail to recognize value because it is assumed.”
Example: The editor selected “Take for granted” as the more precise wording in the final draft.
Snub
Snub provides a contextual contrast to “appreciate” for the sense “deliberately withhold recognition or regard.”
Example: In the revised sentence, the writer chose “Snub” to match the intended sense.
Depreciate
Depreciate provides a contextual contrast to “appreciate” for the sense “reduce in value or become less valuable.”
Example: The final version used “Depreciate” because it fit the context more accurately.
Misunderstand
Misunderstand provides a contextual contrast to “appreciate” for the sense “fail to grasp something in the sense of appreciate meaning understand.”
Example: The copy editor recommended “Misunderstand” as the clearer choice for that passage.
Choosing the Right Contrast to “Appreciate”
Because “appreciate” changes meaning across contexts, decide which sense you are contrasting before choosing a term. That keeps the wording accurate and avoids presenting a related idea as a universal antonym.