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

The crowd also wrote slogans calling for a democratic election of the city’s leader and denouncing the extradition legislation. — Ken Moritsugo, SFChronicle.com, "Hong Kong protesters target legislature in violent display of rage," 1 July 2019 Every few months, there’s another big blowup on YA Twitter and another article denouncing the whole sphere as toxic. — Constance Grady, Vox, "Romance novelists speak out on the harassment they face online," 29 June 2019 Castro had a bigger purpose, however, than denouncing an arcane piece of a 95-year-old law. — Gilbert Garcia, ExpressNews.com, "Castro’s discipline pays off on the big stage," 28 June 2019 This, by the way, is the same Guardian that has exposed and solemnly denounced intrusions into privacy by rival newspapers over the years. — Gerard Baker, WSJ, "Why Britain’s Elites Can’t Stand Boris Johnson," 28 June 2019 Hundreds of supporters of left-wing groups demonstrated in central New Delhi to protest Pompeo's arrival in India and denounce American policies in the Middle East. — Fox News, "US, India 'working together' amid Iran crisis, despite trade tensions," 26 June 2019 The comments unleashed a torrent of criticism from his Democratic rivals, some of whom denounced the comments in very personal terms by citing their own race. — Petra Cahill, NBC News, "Iran shoots down a U.S. drone, Biden sticks to comments & Kauai's coast reopens: The Morning Rundown," 20 June 2019 So far, more than seventy people have been injured in the protests, and a thirty-five-year-old man fell to his death after unfurling a banner denouncing the extradition bill on a shopping mall. — Jiayang Fan, The New Yorker, "Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Backs Down, but the Protests Continue," 17 June 2019 Actors, singers and other public figures denounced his treatment. — The Economist, "What Ivan Golunov’s ordeal reveals about Russia," 13 June 2019

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.