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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb denounce differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of denounce are censure, condemn, criticize, reprehend, and reprobate. While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

When would censure be a good substitute for denounce?

While the synonyms censure and denounce are close in meaning, censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

When can condemn be used instead of denounce?

While in some cases nearly identical to denounce, condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

Where would criticize be a reasonable alternative to denounce?

In some situations, the words criticize and denounce are roughly equivalent. However, criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions.

criticized the police for using violence

When is reprehend a more appropriate choice than denounce?

Although the words reprehend and denounce have much in common, reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

When might reprobate be a better fit than denounce?

The meanings of reprobate and denounce largely overlap; however, reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.

reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of denounce Earle-Sears repeatedly pressured Spanberger to call on Jones to exit the attorney general race, but the Democratic candidate only denounced Jones and said voters should use their judgment on who to support. Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 16 Oct. 2025 However, the 28-year-old artist took to Instagram denouncing the fraudulent claim. Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 15 Oct. 2025 According to the Daily Mail, the Duchess of York — who divorced Prince Andrew in 1996 — reached out to Epstein in 2011 after publicly denouncing their friendship during an interview with the Evening Standard. Christina Dugan Ramirez , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025 Both Wu and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey have denounced the recent street takeovers. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for denounce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for denounce
Verb
  • This comes almost a year after Maccabi supporters were beaten and injured in violent clashes in Amsterdam ahead of a Europa League game against Ajax, which Dutch authorities condemned as antisemitic.
    Amy Woodyatt, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The Minnesota Vikings condemned the vile racist message defensive back Isaiah Rodgers received following the team’s 28-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The prince was widely criticized for failing to show empathy for Epstein's victims and for offering unbelievable explanations for his friendship with the disgraced financier.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Andrew was widely criticized for failing to show empathy for Epstein’s victims and for offering unbelievable explanations for his friendship with the disgraced financier.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In addition, Blain, who was elected to office last November, has been under investigation by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and has been censured twice by the council.
    Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The debate over whether Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez should be formally censured took center stage at Tuesday’s meeting when Mayor Valerie Amezcua and councilmembers Phil Bacerra, Thai Viet Phan and David Penaloza directed city staff to conduct a formal investigation into the complaints.
    Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But some Republicans blamed Newsom for the freeway closure, calling it an over-reaction.
    City News Service, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Now, blaming the shutdown, the Education Department is trying to lay off an additional 465 people, cutting deeply into multiple offices.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There is little to fault with .
    Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Meng Wei, a marine geologist and geophysicist at the University of Rhode Island, says the idea that fault systems near each other could synchronize has been floating around for years and has been seen at smaller fault boundaries over short periods.
    Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • To this end, Cucinelli urged the independent players to tap into the online commerce without betraying their identity of exclusivity and desirability, subtly reprimanding those who embraced the gray market outright.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Turnage was not disciplined or reprimanded in connection with the investigation, according to the lawsuit.
    Miami Herald, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Baird believes that shares of Zions Bancorp have been unduly punished.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The superpowers imposed punishing tariffs on one another earlier this year, only to lower them, and had for months been discussing a trade deal.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Denounce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denounce. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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