denounce

verb de·nounce \ di-ˈnau̇n(t)s , dē- \

|Updated on: 6 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: denounce in a Sentence

Definition of denounce

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 2) 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

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denouncement

play \-ˈnau̇n(t)-smənt\ noun

—

denouncer

noun

See denounce defined for English-language learners

See denounce defined for kids

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 of denounce from the Web

On Sunday, China denounced an American freedom of navigation operation last week that saw the destroyer Higgins and cruiser Antietam sail within 12 nautical miles of the Paracels.

— carl prine, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Mattis shows that former enemy is a warming friend," 31 May 2018
Roseanne star Sara Gilbert took to Twitter to denounce the comments.

— abby gardner, Glamour, "ABC Cancels 'Roseanne' After Racist Twitter Rant," 29 May 2018
However, not everyone in the denomination is willing to denounce Patterson.

— tara isabella burton, Vox, "Conservative evangelical women are calling out a leader’s sexism. It’s a huge moment for #MeToo.," 9 May 2018
Shostakovich’s 5th Symphony in D minor premiered in 1937 and it was thought by some to be a kind of atonement or turnaround after his having been denounced for earlier work.

— john adamian, courant.com, "HSO Plays Shostakovich At The Bushnell," 28 Apr. 2018
Though boisterous young children underfoot may irritate adults dining out, one woman in China is being denounced across the Internet for maliciously tripping a 4-year-old boy with a heart condition at a restaurant, giving him a concussion.

— janine puhak, Fox News, "Pregnant woman maliciously trips child in restaurant, causes concussion, goes viral," 26 Apr. 2018
His demonstrations have been criticized for attracting white nationalists and others who promote racist or bigoted views, though Gibson has publicly denounced such individuals and their beliefs.

— shane dixon kavanaugh, OregonLive.com, "Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson plans U.S. Senate run in Washington," 25 Feb. 2018
But Nehlen was trounced by Ryan (R-Wis.) in 2016 and has since been denounced even by Breitbart for his increasingly extreme tone.

— jason stein, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "GOP returns dues from Paul Ryan challenger as top leaders denounce Paul Nehlen as racist," 13 Feb. 2018
More often than not, many found themselves denouncing the group while awkwardly defending its values.

— eric herschthal, New Republic, "The KKK’s Attempt to Define America," 16 Jan. 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.

Origin and Etymology of denounce

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

denounce Synonyms

Phrases

come down hard (on), find fault (with), take to task;

Synonym Discussion of 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

DENOUNCE Defined for English Language Learners

denounce

verb

Definition of denounce for English Language Learners

: to publicly state that someone or something is bad or wrong : to criticize (someone or something) harshly and publicly
: to report (someone) to the police or other authorities for illegal or immoral acts