denounce

verb

de·nounce | \ di-ˈnau̇n(t)s,

dē-\

denounced; denouncing

Definition of denounce

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

Other Words from denounce Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about denounce

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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

After the series aired, multiple artists denounced Kelly and a criminal investigation was reportedly launched against him in Georgia. — Brittney Mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "Buku Abi, R. Kelly’s Daughter, Called Her Father a “Monster”," 11 Jan. 2019 Well a Republican Senate candidate is being denounced as a would-be theocrat for saying that men have a duty to lead. — Fox News, "New evidence of political bias at Google; gender politics at play in Michigan Senate race," 21 Sep. 2018 Any hint of style or glamour denoted bourgeois aspirations, which were loudly denounced in a society focused on industrialization and agriculture. — Niree Noel, Allure, "The Evolution of Armenia’s Beauty Industry, According to Women Who Witnessed It," 27 July 2018 Mr López Obrador once denounced the agreement but now claims to support it. — The Economist, "Will AMLO deliver?," 5 July 2018 Meanwhile, the White House has expressed support for FCC chair Ajit Pai's decision to reverse the Obama-era rules, and Trump denounced net neutrality in a 2014 tweet. — Klint Finley, WIRED, "Senate Approves Measure to Save Net Neutrality," 16 May 2018 At a recent community board meeting in Sunnyside, Queens, dozens of residents, CUNY professors, activists from community groups and political organizations spoke for hours to denounce HQ2. — Jimmy Vielkind, WSJ, "Not Just NIMBYism: Amazon’s HQ2 Opponents Dig In for Long Fight," 31 Dec. 2018 In March, Women’s March issued a statement disavowing Farrakhan’s rhetoric, but critics have called on the leaders of the group to denounce and cut ties with Farrakhan himself. — Anna North, Vox, "The Women’s March changed the American left. Now anti-Semitism allegations threaten the group’s future.," 21 Dec. 2018 In the wake of the Pittsburgh shooting, many called out Trump’s dangerous rhetoric and refusal to denounce white nationalism as undoubtedly contributing to such violence. — Emma Sarran Webster, Teen Vogue, "Reported Hate Crimes Rose 17% During Donald Trump's First Year in Office, According to the FBI," 14 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'denounce.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.