denounce

1 of 2

verb

de·​nounce di-ˈnau̇n(t)s 

dē-

denounced; denouncing

transitive verb

1

: to pronounce especially publicly to be blameworthy or bad

called on the group to denounce violence

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

denouncer

2 of 2

noun

de·​nounc·​er

-sə(r)

plural -s

: one that denounces

Synonyms of denounce

Verb

• condemn
• criticize
• blame

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

Verb

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

Verb

Black’s lawyers have repeatedly denounced the Oversight Committee’s pursuit of the former head of a private equity firm as an abuse of congressional power. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Band member Hanni Pham nonetheless denounced ADOR for its treatment of her and her bandmates in a 2024 testimony to the Korean Parliament. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026

But across the capital, fresh graffiti denounced politicians as thieves. — ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026

The responsibility assigned to Caitlin Clark The list of WNBA media members who have openly called for Clark to denounce online hate, something Clark has done multiple times by the way, is almost too long to count. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English denouncen "to communicate, announce, declare blameworthy," borrowed from Anglo-French denuncier "to proclaim, make known," borrowed from Latin dēnūntiāre "to give notice of, enjoin," from dē- de- + nūntiāre "to bring word of, announce" — more at announce

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for denounce

• announce
• pronounce
• renounce
• bounce
• flounce
• ounce
• pounce

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