Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

denounce

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

Definition of denounce

denounced

;

denouncing
  1. transitive verb

  2. 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

  3. 2 archaic a :  proclaimb :  to announce threateningly

  4. 3 :  to inform (see inform 2) against :  accuse was denounced to the authorities

  5. 4 obsolete :  portend

  6. 5 :  to announce formally the termination of (something, such as a treaty) denounced the arrangement with their former ally

denouncement

play \-ˈnau̇n(t)-smənt\ noun

denouncer

noun

See denounce defined for English-language learners

See denounce defined for kids

From the M-W Editors

alt-597233d35a146
Trending: 'Scaramouch,' Scaramucci Possibly to Fandango
alt-59721dd897313
The 'Best' Way to Sign Off On An E-mail
image386126722
Words That Come From the Dinner Table
video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Examples of denounce in a Sentence

  1. The government called on the group to denounce the use of violence.

  2. The film was denounced for the way it portrayed its female characters.

Origin and Etymology of denounce

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

denounce Synonyms

Synonyms
anathematize, censure, damn, decry, condemn, execrate, reprehend, reprobate
Antonyms
bless
Related Words
attack, blame, blast, criticize, dis (also diss) [slang], dispraise, fault, knock, pan, slam; belittle, deprecate, disparage; doom, sentence; convict; blacklist, excommunicate, ostracize; castigate, chastise, rebuke, reprimand, reproach; admonish, chide, reprove; berate, lambaste (or lambast), rake, scold, upbraid, vituperate; curse, imprecate; abhor, abominate, detest, hate, loathe, revile
Near Antonyms
approve, endorse (also indorse), sanction; eulogize, exalt, extol (also extoll), glorify, laud, praise; acclaim, applaud, commend, hail, salute, tout; consecrate, hallow, sanctify; honor, revere, venerate

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

play
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

DENOUNCE Defined for Kids

denounce

play
verb de·nounce \di-ˈnau̇ns\

Definition of denounce for Students

denounced

;

denouncing

  1. 1 :  to point out as wrong or evil :  condemn Parents denounced the cuts to the art program.

  2. 2 :  to inform against :  accuse I denounced him as a traitor.

Learn More about denounce

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for denounce Spanish Central: Translation of denounce Nglish: Translation of denounce for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of denounce for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up denounce? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

advise

play

to counsel, recommend, or inform

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. scaramouch A new White House communications director

  2. non sequitur “It does not follow”

  3. admiral's mast A massive search ends with an 'admiral's mast'.

  4. calumny 'An untrue statement that is made to damage someone's reputation'

  5. kakistocracy Frustrated Twitter users have been searching for this word.

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

denounce

Test Your Vocabulary

The Emoji Quiz

  • emoji-the-quiz
  • What phase of the moon is this: 🌖 ?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

alt-59721dd897313
The 'Best' Way to Sign Off On An E-mail

Give them your best

image386126722
Words and Phrases That Come from the Dinner Table

Fill your plate with these surprising food words

ghost-being-disinvited-from-party
'Disinvite' or 'Uninvite'?

A disinvited guest is an uninvited problem

alt-596f730ceb5ae
Words We're Watching: 'Scoby'

Kombucha lovers unite.

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

payday
How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless
Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals
Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

emoji-the-quiz
The Emoji Quiz

Think you’re an emoji 👓 expert? Let’s see 🤔

Take the quiz
image941935269
A Game of Thrones Word Quiz

In the Game of Thrones quiz, you learn some new vocabulary. (It’s quite safe, really. You will not die.)

Take the quiz
Spell It
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Take the quiz
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game
Examples: denounce in a Sentence
Tip: Synonym Guide