denounce


de·nounce

verb \di-ˈnan(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 \-ˈnan(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

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: de novo
Previous Word in the Dictionary: denouement
All Words Near: denounce

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up denounce? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Test Your Vocabulary

Take Our 10-Question Quiz

Name That Thing

Take our visual vocab quiz

Test Your Knowledge »

True or False?

A quick quiz about stuff worth knowing

Take It Now »

Join Us on FB & Twitter

Get the Word of the Day and More

Facebook | Twitter

Get Our Free Apps

Voice Search, Favorites,
Word of the Day, and More

iPhone | iPad | Android | More