denounce

verb

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de·nounce | \ di-ˈnau̇n(t)s

, dē- \

denounced; denouncing

Definition of denounce

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

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

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Synonyms & Antonyms for denounce

Synonyms

Antonyms

bless

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 Fans hung banners outside their teams’ stadiums, and lawmakers took to the airwaves to denounce the rebels for their greed and disrespect toward soccer’s traditions. — New York Times, "How the Super League Fell Apart," 22 Apr. 2021 No wonder McCarthy felt compelled to denounce it; the GOP is small enough without expelling Irish Americans like him. — Los Angeles Times, "The GOP’s Anglo-Saxon problem," 21 Apr. 2021 Democrats attacked the new law as an attempt to suppress voting, especially by Black voters, and called on major businesses to denounce it. — Geoff Colvin, Fortune, "The latest partisan issue: Whether CEOs should speak up on social issues," 11 Apr. 2021 For all its shortcomings, the internet is still a magical place where people born in the 21st century can log on, discover a cultural touchstone from a previous generation and, within minutes, denounce it with the utmost authority. — Bryan Rolli, Forbes, "Gen Z Wants To Cancel Eminem. His Millennial Fans Should Be Proud," 12 Mar. 2021 The stories led fellow members of the 'Bachelor' universe to denounce him and brands to cancel Instagram influencer deals. — Mark Dunphy, San Antonio Express-News, "'Bachelorette' alum from Texas threatens defamation suit after reports he attended Capitol riot," 6 Mar. 2021 Trump’s attempts at legally halting the election process, disputing the results and further inciting his supporters prior to the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol were all reasons to denounce him, Haley said in the interview. — Stephanie Toone, ajc, "Nikki Haley on Trump: ‘We shouldn’t have followed him’," 12 Feb. 2021 Trump himself fueled the claims by refusing to publicly denounce them on national television. — Brian Fung And Kaya Yurieff, CNN, "QAnon believers are in disarray after Biden is inaugurated," 20 Jan. 2021 Now that Donald Trump has been defanged, leading Republicans are rushing to denounce him. — Peter Beinart, Star Tribune, "Why are there so few courageous senators?," 18 Jan. 2021

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.