denounce

de·nounce

verb \di-ˈnau̇n(t)s, dē-\

de·nouncedde·nounc·ing

Definition of DENOUNCE

transitive verb

1

: to pronounce especially publicly to be blameworthy or evil <they denounced him as a bigot>

2

archaic a : proclaim b : to announce threateningly

3

: to inform against : accuse

4

obsolete : portend

5

: to announce formally the termination of (as a treaty)

— de·nounce·ment \-ˈnau̇n(t)-smənt\ noun

— de·nounc·er noun

Examples of DENOUNCE

1. The government called on the group to denounce the use of violence.
2. The film was denounced for the way it portrayed its female characters.

Origin of DENOUNCE

Middle English, from Anglo-French denuncier to proclaim, from Latin denuntiare, from de- + nuntiare to report — more at announce

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to DENOUNCE

Synonyms: anathematize, censure, damn, decry, condemn, execrate, reprehend, reprobate

Antonyms: bless

Related Words: attack, blame, blast, criticize, dis (also diss) [slang], dispraise, fault, knock, pan, slam; belittle, deprecate, disparage; doom, sentence; convict; blacklist, excommunicate, ostracize; castigate, chastise, rebuke, reprimand, reproach; admonish, chide, reprove; berate, lambaste (or lambast), rake, scold, upbraid, vituperate; curse, imprecate; abhor, abominate, detest, hate, loathe, revile

Near Antonyms: approve, endorse (also indorse), sanction; eulogize, exalt, extol (also extoll), glorify, laud, praise; acclaim, applaud, commend, hail, salute, tout; consecrate, hallow, sanctify; honor, revere, venerate

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at criticize