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

In other posts, Chaudry denounced the cruelty of the violence of Israel’s attacks in Gaza. —Katie Shepherd, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023

President Joe Biden denounced on Monday the deaths of more than two dozen transgender people who were killed in the United States this year. —Christian Datoc, Washington Examiner, 20 Nov. 2023

China has long supported Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and often denounces Israel for its settlements in the territories. —Lawrence Richard, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2023

Ariana Grande and Gabrielle Union are among the ones who signed an open letter denouncing book bans. —Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 18 Nov. 2023

Bin Laden, who was killed in a U.S. special operation in Pakistan in 2011, also denounced U.S. interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Kashmir, Chechnya and Lebanon. —Daysia Tolentino, NBC News, 17 Nov. 2023

Some accuse their schools of not doing enough to denounce antisemitism and others that the schools ignore the plight of Gazans under Israeli fire. —Gabriella Borter, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Nov. 2023

Trump has denied all charges and denounced the probe as a political witch hunt. —Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 16 Nov. 2023

The boycott was amplified by several conservative celebrities who publicly denounced the brand for its decision to team with Mulvaney on the promotion. —Elizabeth Napolitano, CBS News, 16 Nov. 2023

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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