denunciation

noun

de·​nun·​ci·​a·​tion di-ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shən 

: an act of denouncing

the denunciation of violence

the denunciation of one's enemies

their denunciation of him as a spy

especially : a public condemnation

drew strong denunciations from world leaders

denunciative

di-ˈnən(t)-sē-ˌā-tiv 

adjective

denunciatory

di-ˈnən(t)-sē-ə-ˌtȯr-ē 

adjective

Synonyms of denunciation

• condemnation
• reprimand

Examples of denunciation in a Sentence

The attack drew strong denunciations from leaders around the world.

the official denunciation of the congresswoman's actions before the full house

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the few factors that could impede a Democratic wave in this year’s midterms is the party’s own unpopularity; polling suggests that plenty of voters outside college campuses might also nod along to El-Sayed’s denunciation of Democrats. — Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026

The Iranian denunciation coincided with comments by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Kyiv had ‌noted Russia ⁠was passing on to Iran its satellite observations in the Middle East to enable it to direct strikes in the region. — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 26 July 2026

Russia withdrew from the convention in 2025 following denunciations by other Ramsar members of the war in Ukraine and its destructive effects on wetlands in that country. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026

His denunciation so incensed far-right Israelis that a number of activists were detained while protesting his son’s bar mitzvah in Jerusalem the next year, Emanuel recalled. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French denonciacion "announcement, accusation," borrowed from Latin dēnūntiātiōn-, dēnūntiātiō "notification, injunction" (Medieval Latin also "denunciation"), from dēnūntiāre "to give notice of, enjoin" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at denounce

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for denunciation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

denunciation

noun

de·​nun·​ci·​a·​tion di-ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shən 

: the act of denouncing

especially : a public charge of wrongdoing

denunciatory

-ˈnən(t)-sē-ə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

adjective