denounce
verb
de·nounce di-ˈnau̇n(t)s 
dē-
denounced; denouncing
transitive verb
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
David Sedaris2
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
noun dē-
denouncer noun
Synonyms
- anathematize
- censure
- condemn
- damn
- decry
- execrate
- reprehend
- reprobate
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Democrats are happy to denounce China from afar for mistreating the Uighurs and the eclipse of Hong Kong’s autonomy. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 21 Aug. 2022 Critics have said that New Delhi must denounce Russia for breaching the territorial sovereignty of another nation. Umang Poddar, Quartz, 1 Mar. 2022 The combination of seeing rights stripped away on one side and facing declining economic ability on the other has radicalized them and has given struggles over what some people denounce as identity politics a very material force. Sam Deanstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2022 Actors like Lauren Bacall, Humphrey Bogart, Gene Kelly, and John Huston formed the Committee for the First Amendment and signed a petition to denounce the congressional committee as un-American itself for probing the politics of individual citizens. Laurie Hays, Fortune, 6 May 2022 The Azov Regiment enhanced its reputation in Ukraine further by its dogged defense of Mariupol since February, drawing further ire from Moscow, which continued to denounce it. James Marson, WSJ, 5 Aug. 2022 Take him on, denounce him as unfit for office, all right? ABC News, 29 May 2022 Democrats blasted Regan, calling on Republicans to denounce him. Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, 8 Mar. 2022 Her husband fled, possibly fearing Gul might denounce him to the authorities. Elena Becatoros, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2022 See More
The Editorial Board, WSJ, 21 Aug. 2022 Critics have said that New Delhi must denounce Russia for breaching the territorial sovereignty of another nation. Umang Poddar, Quartz, 1 Mar. 2022 The combination of seeing rights stripped away on one side and facing declining economic ability on the other has radicalized them and has given struggles over what some people denounce as identity politics a very material force. Sam Deanstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2022 Actors like Lauren Bacall, Humphrey Bogart, Gene Kelly, and John Huston formed the Committee for the First Amendment and signed a petition to denounce the congressional committee as un-American itself for probing the politics of individual citizens. Laurie Hays, Fortune, 6 May 2022 The Azov Regiment enhanced its reputation in Ukraine further by its dogged defense of Mariupol since February, drawing further ire from Moscow, which continued to denounce it. James Marson, WSJ, 5 Aug. 2022 Take him on, denounce him as unfit for office, all right? ABC News, 29 May 2022 Democrats blasted Regan, calling on Republicans to denounce him. Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, 8 Mar. 2022 Her husband fled, possibly fearing Gul might denounce him to the authorities. Elena Becatoros, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French denuncier to proclaim, from Latin denuntiare, from de- + nuntiare to report — more at announce
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
denounce
verb
de·nounce di-ˈnau̇ns
denounced; denouncing
1
: to point out as wrong or evil : condemn Parents denounced the cuts to the art program.
2
: to inform against : accuse
I denounced him as a traitor.
denounce
verb
1
as in to condemn
to declare to be morally wrong or evil the church council denounced the bishop's teachings, officially declaring them to be heresy Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- condemn
- criticize
- blame
- decry
- attack
- anathematize
- censure
- reprehend
- execrate
- reprobate
- disparage
- damn
- belittle
- fault
- ostracize
- excommunicate
- dispraise
- sentence
- hate
- deprecate
- chastise
- convict
- admonish
- berate
- pan
- chide
- diss
- scold
- castigate
- abhor
- upbraid
- slam
- knock
- doom
- revile
- detest
- vituperate
- rebuke
- lambast
- blacklist
- lambaste
- loathe
- dis
- reproach
- blast
- reprimand
- imprecate
- abominate
- rake
- reprove
- curse
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- approve
- endorse
- bless
- indorse
- sanction
- extol
- commend
- applaud
- laud
- exalt
- praise
- glorify
- tout
- salute
- honor
- eulogize
- hail
- consecrate
- extoll
- sanctify
- revere
- venerate
- acclaim
- hallow
2
as in to criticize
to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of denounced the shoddy merchandise that the local shops were foisting on tourists Synonyms & Similar Words
- criticize
- blame
- condemn
- fault
- knock
- attack
- censure
- scold
- slam
- dispraise
- pan
- reprehend
- diss
- complain
- slag
- slash
- tweak
- dis
- lash
- kick
- assail
- admonish
- find fault (with)
- come down hard (on)
- blast
- take to task
- mutter
- chide
- berate
- deride
- decry
- murmur
- excoriate
- crucify
- whine
- clobber
- upbraid
- grumble
- disparage
- beef
- cavil
- skewer
- bitch
- rebuke
- castigate
- moan
- lambast
- lambaste
- reprimand
- bellyache
- belittle
- pillory
- growl
- grouse
- reproach
- reprove
- flay
- gripe
- quibble
- carp
- kvetch
- crab
- drub
- gibbet
- croak
- bad-mouth
- keelhaul
- hammer
- niggle
- snipe (at)
- nick (at)
- discommend
- fuss
- put down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- extol
- laud
- endorse
- approve
- praise
- extoll
- commend
- indorse
- recommend
- sanction
3
as in to censure
to express public or formal disapproval of the governor has denounced the court's decision and vows to press for a constitutional amendment Synonyms & Similar Words
- condemn
- censure
- reprimand
- punish
- criticize
- scold
- rebuke
- admonish
- reprove
- reproach
- chastise
- objurgate
- call to account
- bring to account
- berate
- castigate
- upbraid
- disparage
- lambast
- lambaste
- belittle
- keelhaul
- flay
- bawl out
- deprecate
- rag
- tell off
- lecture
- dress down
- cut up
- gibbet
- chew out
- jaw
- rate
- depreciate
- score
- rail (at or against)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- endorse
- commend
- cite
- indorse
- honor
- applaud
- approve
- hail
- praise
- sanction
- laud
- bless
- eulogize
- acclaim
Synonym Chooser
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
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
While in some cases nearly identical to denounce, condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.
condemned the government's racial policies
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
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
The meanings of reprobate and denounce largely overlap; however, reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.
reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle
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