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

Gabalier has also been denounced by figures from Austria’s music scene. — Thomas Rogers, New York Times, "Rocking Out in Lederhosen, With a Hint of Populism," 10 Sep. 2019 Nigeria’s consulate in Johannesburg also denounced a report from South African broadcaster eNCA claiming that riots in Pretoria were caused by the killing of a local taxi driver by a Nigerian. — Yomi Kazeem, Quartz Africa, "Xenophobic attacks on African migrants in South Africa have been escalated by misinformation," 4 Sep. 2019 Contemporary observers denounced the mill town squalor. — David Vernette, Smithsonian, "When an Influx of French-Canadian Immigrants Struck Fear Into Americans," 21 Aug. 2019 Since Boas’s era, the core ideas of racial science have been denounced by professional bodies such as the American Anthropological Association and the American Medical Association. — Charles King, Time, "American Students Are Taught Racism Is Bad—But They're Still Not Learning the Truth About Race," 6 Aug. 2019 Grace Road Church has been denounced as a heretic organization by most mainstream Christian groups in South Korea. — Fox News, "Doomsday cult leader who held 400 captive, beat them to 'drive out evil spirits,' gets 6-year sentence," 31 July 2019 Since declaring his candidacy, immigration has been a central issue for Trump, and his rhetoric on border security has been denounced as racist. — William Cummings, USA TODAY, "A majority of voters say President Donald Trump is a racist, Quinnipiac University poll finds," 30 July 2019 On Tuesday, Florida members of the U.S. House were forced to take a stance on the president’s Sunday tweet, which has been widely denounced as racist. — Ana Ceballos, orlandosentinel.com, "Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida GOP mostly silent on ‘Send her back’ chants at Trump rally," 19 July 2019 Partisan gerrymandering has been widely denounced for effectively allowing politicians to pick their voters. — David G. Savage, latimes.com, "Partisan gerrymandering is upheld by Supreme Court," 27 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.