Depopularise

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To cause something to lose its general appeal or public favour over time
2. Making a person, idea or product become less admired or sought after by the public
3. To reduce the popularity of something so that fewer people embrace or follow it

Etymology: "Depopularise" is a verb formed in English by adding the prefix "de-" to "popularise," meaning to make something lose its popularity or public appeal. The prefix "de-" comes from Latin, where it meant "down," "away," or "reversal," and in English it commonly signals removal or undoing, as in "decentralise" or "deregulate." "Popularise" itself is built from "popular," which came into English from Latin "popularis," meaning "of the people," from "populus." The "-ise" ending comes from Greek through French, and it turns a noun or adjective into a verb meaning to make or cause something to be a certain way. Because "depopularise" is a straightforward compound of an established prefix and an established verb, it is a relatively recent coinage that follows the same pattern as many other English words with "de-." Its precise first recorded use is not something I can confirm.

Synonyms: unpopularize, discredit, alienate

Antonyms: popularise, popularize