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.
denouncing
verb
1
as in criticizing
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
- criticizing
- condemning
- blaming
- decrying
- attacking
- censuring
- damning
- execrating
- anathematizing
- disparaging
- belittling
- faulting
- reprobating
- hating
- berating
- reprehending
- chiding
- sentencing
- chastising
- convicting
- excommunicating
- admonishing
- slamming
- panning
- deprecating
- scolding
- upbraiding
- castigating
- knocking
- dooming
- rebuking
- blasting
- reviling
- blacklisting
- lambasting
- detesting
- abhorring
- dissing
- raking
- ostracizing
- reproaching
- reprimanding
- loathing
- dispraising
- reproving
- cursing
- vituperating
- imprecating
- abominating
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- endorsing
- approving
- praising
- indorsing
- sanctioning
- lauding
- commending
- exalting
- glorifying
- eulogizing
- applauding
- blessing
- saluting
- hailing
- touting
- acclaiming
- honoring
- extolling
- consecrating
- sanctifying
- revering
- venerating
- hallowing
2
as in blaming
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
- criticizing
- blaming
- condemning
- faulting
- attacking
- knocking
- slamming
- censuring
- scolding
- tweaking
- slagging
- panning
- complaining
- slashing
- dissing
- lashing
- blasting
- kicking
- assailing
- dispraising
- admonishing
- reprehending
- muttering
- chiding
- finding fault (with)
- deriding
- berating
- skewering
- murmuring
- decrying
- whining
- coming down hard (on)
- excoriating
- taking to task
- upbraiding
- rebuking
- moaning
- grumbling
- castigating
- lambasting
- reprimanding
- clobbering
- disparaging
- crucifying
- pillorying
- belittling
- bitching
- carping
- bellyaching
- beefing
- caviling
- grousing
- growling
- reproaching
- griping
- kvetching
- cavilling
- quibbling
- reproving
- flaying
- hammering
- niggling
- crabbing
- bad-mouthing
- croaking
- drubbing
- keelhauling
- sniping (at)
- fussing
- nicking (at)
- gibbeting
- discommending
- putting down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- praising
- lauding
- endorsing
- approving
- commending
- extolling
- indorsing
- recommending
- sanctioning
3
as in censuring
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
- censuring
- condemning
- reprimanding
- criticizing
- punishing
- scolding
- rebuking
- admonishing
- reproaching
- reproving
- chastising
- objurgating
- berating
- calling to account
- bringing to account
- upbraiding
- castigating
- lecturing
- belittling
- disparaging
- lambasting
- ragging
- flaying
- jawing
- dressing down
- deprecating
- cutting up
- chewing out
- bawling out
- telling off
- keelhauling
- depreciating
- gibbeting
- scoring
- rating
- railing (at or against)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- endorsing
- citing
- commending
- indorsing
- honoring
- praising
- applauding
- hailing
- approving
- acclaiming
- lauding
- sanctioning
- eulogizing
- blessing