denounce

verb

de·​nounce di-ˈnau̇n(t)s 

dē-

denounced; denouncing

transitive verb

1

: to pronounce especially publicly to be blameworthy or evil

they denounced him as a bigot

Others might cry or get bent out of shape when their personal tastes are denounced and ridiculed, but not him …

—David Sedaris

2

archaic

a

: proclaim

b

: to announce threateningly

3

: to inform (see inform sense intransitive 1) against : accuse

was denounced to the authorities

4

obsolete : portend

5

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

denounced the arrangement with their former ally

denouncement

di-ˈnau̇n(t)-smənt 

dē-

noun

denouncer noun

Synonyms

• anathematize
• censure
• condemn
• damn
• decry
• execrate
• reprehend
• reprobate

Choose the Right Synonym for denounce

criticize, reprehend, censure, reprobate, condemn, denounce mean to find fault with openly.

criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions.

criticized the police for using violence

reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.

reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

Examples of denounce in a Sentence

The government called on the group to denounce the use of violence.

The film was denounced for the way it portrayed its female characters.

Recent Examples on the Web

Advertisement Like Perot, Kennedy denounces both major political parties and draws support from voters on both sides. —Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024

Demonstrators carried torches and posters denouncing Netanyahu, who is also facing pressure from allies, including the United States, over Israel’s punishing military campaign in Gaza. —Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024

The sitting President, Nayib Bukele, was seeking a second consecutive mandate, which legal scholars have denounced as a violation of the constitution, and Bucio Borja, who wore his wispy gray hair in a ponytail tucked under a wool cap, shouted the six articles that point to Bukele’s infraction. —Danielle MacKey, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2024

Trump has denied all charges and denounced the probe as a political witch hunt. —Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2024

Oil and gas executives have denounced an administration pause on the permitting of new natural gas export terminals. —Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024

In contrast, recent presidents have avoided publicly pressuring the Fed, with the striking exception of Trump, who denounced Powell for raising the Fed's benchmark rate in 2018 during the Trump presidency. —Christopher Rugaber, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024

In 1996, when Hamas began a string of suicide bombings against civilians in Israel, Mr. Barghouti led a pro-peace march alongside Israeli activists, denouncing the attacks. —Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Apr. 2024

Many families of hostages had refrained from publicly denouncing Netanyahu to avoid antagonizing the leadership and making the hostages' plight a political issue. —Melanie Lindman, Wafaa Shurafa, arkansasonline.com, 1 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

denounce

verb

de·​nounce di-ˈnau̇n(t)s 

denounced; denouncing

1

: to point out as deserving blame or punishment

2

: to inform against : accuse

3

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

denouncement

-mənt 

noun

denouncer noun