Synonyms of denounce

denounce

verb

di-ˈnau̇n(t)s 

1

as in to condemn

to declare to be morally wrong or evil

the church council denounced the bishop's teachings, officially declaring them to be heresy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• condemn
• criticize
• blame
• decry
• attack
• censure
• anathematize
• damn
• reprehend
• execrate
• disparage
• fault
• belittle
• sentence
• convict
• hate
• reprobate
• deprecate
• excommunicate
• ostracize
• chastise
• admonish
• pan
• chide
• knock
• berate
• scold
• slam
• upbraid
• abhor
• castigate
• doom
• detest
• dispraise
• revile
• rebuke
• loathe
• blacklist
• rake
• dis
• reproach
• blast
• reprimand
• reprove
• vituperate
• lambaste
• abominate
• imprecate
• curse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• endorse
• bless
• sanction
• commend
• praise
• applaud
• extol
• exalt
• glorify
• salute
• tout
• honor
• laud
• hail
• consecrate
• sanctify
• eulogize
• revere
• acclaim
• venerate
• hallow

2

as in to criticize

to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of

denounced the shoddy merchandise that the local shops were foisting on tourists

Synonyms & Similar Words

• criticize
• blame
• condemn
• fault
• knock
• attack
• deplore
• censure
• slam
• tweak
• find fault (with)
• pan
• complain
• slag
• dispraise
• reprehend
• slash
• dis
• kick
• lash
• assail
• admonish
• come down hard (on)
• take to task
• blast
• chide
• mutter
• scold
• deride
• berate
• decry
• murmur
• whine
• crucify
• disparage
• upbraid
• grumble
• excoriate
• clobber
• cavil
• skewer
• moan
• bitch
• rebuke
• belittle
• castigate
• nick (at)
• beef
• snipe (at)
• reprimand
• reprove
• reproach
• growl
• quibble
• gripe
• flay
• grouse
• lambaste
• carp
• kvetch
• bellyache
• pillory
• bad-mouth
• croak
• crab
• hammer
• keelhaul
• drub
• fuss
• discommend
• niggle
• gibbet
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• praise
• endorse
• recommend
• commend
• extol
• laud
• sanction

3

as in to censure

to express public or formal disapproval of

the governor has denounced the court's decision and vows to press for a constitutional amendment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• condemn
• censure
• reprimand
• punish
• criticize
• scold
• rebuke
• admonish
• reprove
• reproach
• call to account
• chastise
• objurgate
• bring to account
• berate
• castigate
• upbraid
• disparage
• rail (at or against)
• rag
• belittle
• cut up
• lecture
• deprecate
• jaw
• flay
• lambaste
• depreciate
• chew out
• tell off
• bawl out
• dress down
• keelhaul
• rate
• score
• gibbet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• endorse
• commend
• cite
• honor
• applaud
• approve
• hail
• praise
• sanction
• bless
• laud
• acclaim
• eulogize

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb denounce differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of denounce are censure, condemn, criticize, reprehend, and reprobate. While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

When would censure be a good substitute for denounce?

While the synonyms censure and denounce are close in meaning, censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

When can condemn be used instead of denounce?

While in some cases nearly identical to denounce, condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

Where would criticize be a reasonable alternative to denounce?

In some situations, the words criticize and denounce are roughly equivalent. However, criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions.

criticized the police for using violence

When is reprehend a more appropriate choice than denounce?

Although the words reprehend and denounce have much in common, reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

When might reprobate be a better fit than denounce?

The meanings of reprobate and denounce largely overlap; however, reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.

reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of denounce

El-Sayed's campaign sent a reporter a question asking if Rogers, given his comments about denouncing terrorists, planned to publicly denounce the remark. — Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Meanwhile, Republican politicians across the country have denounced the electoral successes of Muslim politicians, including Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. — Daniel Benjamin, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026

Blowhard Abel, who is running for local office and wants Camilo as his right-hand man, turns out to be a Faustian figure whose influence must be denounced. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

Human rights groups and advocates have denounced mass and arbitrary arrests, torture and disappearances in the Central American nation's prison system. — Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026