denounce

verb

de·​nounce di-ˈnau̇n(t)s How to pronounce denounce (audio)
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
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 noun
denouncer noun
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 The coalition’s members and supporters have been gathering since the Berlin and Malaga festivals to denounce the new government’s drive to axe government spending and rein in the country’s hyper-inflation at the expense of its culture. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024 In remarks delivered from her kitchen table at her house in Montgomery, Alabama, Britt denounced Mr. Biden's remarks in his third State of the Union, and lambasted the president for his policies on immigration, economics, crime and foreign policy. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2024 The older brother of a Missouri Republican state lawmaker on Thursday denounced his brother’s decision to file a first-in-the-nation proposal that would criminalize teachers for supporting transgender minors. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024 Encinas denounced police and military participation in the events. Alma Guillermoprieto, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 During the first week of the trial, dozens gathered in the cold, chanting through bullhorns and marching with Honduran flags and homemade signs denouncing Mr. Hernández. Wesley Parnell, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 On the 24th of each month, Ukrainians from across the Sacramento region — and their supporters — gather at the Capitol to denounce Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Joe Rubin, Sacramento Bee, 27 Feb. 2024 Earlier on Thursday, Volker Türk, the U.N.’s high commissioner for human rights, denounced the Israeli offensive in especially forceful remarks to the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 And even though Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has denounced American luxury goods amid years of tensions with the West, consumers still want the phones and the prestige associated with them. Nasser Karimi, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'denounce.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of denounce was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near denounce

Cite this Entry

“Denounce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/denounce. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

denounce

verb
de·​nounce di-ˈnau̇n(t)s How to pronounce denounce (audio)
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 noun
denouncer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on denounce

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