denounce

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 Actors, directors, and theaters were quick to denounce Warner Bros.’ move as a bait-and-switch tactic to buoy an underperforming streaming platform, and for moviegoers and moviemakers alike, this streaming shakeup leaves many questions. — Lindsey Mcginnis, The Christian Science Monitor, "How will Warner Bros. streaming impact moviegoing? Three questions.," 8 Jan. 2021 But prominent religious figures have been quick to denounce the techno party, in an indication of how highly charged the episode has become. — Zeena Saifi, Abeer Salman And Andrew Carey, CNN, "Top Palestinian DJ detained as party at Muslim holy site sparks angry scenes and scapegoating claims," 30 Dec. 2020 People took to social media to denounce it and him as misogynistic, condescending and contemptible. — Washington Post, "How the dusty old op-ed pages became the red-hot outrage-generating machine of 2020," 28 Dec. 2020 While Trump advocated for Republican incumbents Perdue and Loeffler, the president mainly focused his efforts to denounce Biden’s victory and advocate for his re-election. — Amanda Hernández, USA TODAY, "The Georgia runoffs will decide who controls the Senate. Here's what you should know.," 9 Dec. 2020 In the late 1990s, Dutch ecstasy pills swamped the U.S., prompting the Clinton administration to publicly denounce the Netherlands as a narco-state and threaten economic sanctions. — Valentina Pop, WSJ, "Mexican Cartels Are Now Cooking Chinese Chemicals in Dutch Meth Labs," 8 Dec. 2020 Calls to action, which denounce the physical destruction of sites, should also spotlight the threat heritage decimation has on people and their cultural livelihoods. — Sabrina Papazian, Smithsonian Magazine, "In Times of Conflict, How Can We Support the People Who Keep Culture Alive," 22 Dec. 2020 Many Republican lawmakers have also been reluctant to denounce the organization. — Rob Kuznia, CNN, "How Qanon's lies are hijacking the national conversation," 15 Dec. 2020 In between, the Buckeyes’ main rival, Michigan, was put on the defensive as its leadership was forced to denounce speculation that its recent COVID-19 shutdown was a preemptive move to avoid facing the Buckeyes this Saturday in Columbus. — Rainer Sabin, Detroit Free Press, "Big Ten winners and losers: Wisconsin down along with Michigan football and this highly paid coach," 8 Dec. 2020

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.