diff --git a/news/deprecator.rst b/news/deprecator.rst
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+++ b/news/deprecator.rst
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+**Added:**
+
+* Add ``@deprecated`` decorator.
+
+**Changed:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Deprecated:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Removed:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Fixed:**
+
+* <news item>
+
+**Security:**
+
+* <news item>
diff --git a/src/diffpy/utils/_deprecator.py b/src/diffpy/utils/_deprecator.py
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+++ b/src/diffpy/utils/_deprecator.py
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+import functools
+import warnings
+
+# Deprecated decorator is available for Python 3.13+, once
+# Support for earlier versions is dropped, this custom
+# implementation can be removed.
+try:
+    from warnings import deprecated as _builtin_deprecated
+except ImportError:
+    _builtin_deprecated = None
+
+
+def deprecated(*, alt_name=None, message=None):
+    """Marks a function or class as deprecated.
+
+    Emits a DeprecationWarning whenever the decorated function is called
+    or the decorated class is instantiated.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    alt_name : str, optional
+        Name of the recommended alternative.
+    message : str, optional
+        Custom deprecation message. If None, a default message is generated.
+
+    Returns
+    -------
+    decorator : function
+        Decorator that wraps the deprecated object.
+
+    Examples
+    --------
+    .. code-block:: python
+
+        from diffpy._deprecations import deprecated
+
+        # ------------------------------
+        # Deprecated function
+        # ------------------------------
+        @deprecated(alt_name="new_function")
+        def old_function(x, y):
+            return x + y
+
+        def new_function(x, y):
+            return x + y
+
+        # Usage
+        old_function(1, 2)  # Emits DeprecationWarning
+        new_function(1, 2)  # No warning
+
+        # ------------------------------
+        # Deprecated class
+        # ------------------------------
+        @deprecated(alt_name="NewAtom")
+        class OldAtom:
+            def __init__(self, symbol):
+                self.symbol = symbol
+
+        # Usage
+        a = OldAtom("C")  # Emits DeprecationWarning
+        atom = NewAtom("C")  # No warning
+    """
+    if _builtin_deprecated:
+        return _builtin_deprecated
+
+    def decorator(obj):
+        name = getattr(obj, "__name__", repr(obj))
+        msg = message or (
+            f"'{name}' is deprecated. Use '{alt_name}' instead."
+            if alt_name
+            else f"'{name}' is deprecated."
+        )
+
+        if callable(obj):
+
+            @functools.wraps(obj)
+            def wrapper(*args, **kwargs):
+                warnings.warn(msg, DeprecationWarning, stacklevel=2)
+                return obj(*args, **kwargs)
+
+            return wrapper
+        else:
+            raise TypeError(
+                "deprecated decorator can only be applied to functions or "
+                "classes"
+            )
+
+    return decorator