denounce

verb

di-ˈnau̇n(t)s How to pronounce denounce (audio)
Definition of denouncenext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for denounce
  1. condemn
  2. criticize
  3. censure
  4. blame
  5. fault
  6. reprimand
  7. punish
Verb
  • The Society of Friends was the first religion to officially condemn that horror, but some meetinghouses—which are known for having benches arranged in egalitarian formations—featured segregated seating for Black members.
    — Gail Cornwall, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Cost Of Reciprocal Tariffs China and other parts of the Asia Pacific region, Europe, large portions of South America, and the rest of North America have strongly condemned U.S. actions as an unreasonable overturning of global order, as Reuters has reported.
    — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of condemn
Verb
  • One creative and former National Design Award winner, who has a work visa to be in the U.S., criticized the Trump administration, but declined to comment, due to his residency.
    — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 4 Apr. 2025
  • On Wednesday, Trump announced sweeping tariffs that have been mostly criticized by agricultural and food groups for their potential to shrink markets for farmers and raise consumer prices.
    — Tom Polansek and Leah Douglas, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • The move — which was censured by foreign automakers and leaders and led to the fall of shares in stocks for companies like General Motors and Ford, per the Associated Press — escalated tensions in a looming trade war.
    — Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Drexel University in Philadelphia was censured for not pursuing tougher disciplinary measures when a vocally pro-Israeli Jewish student’s dorm room was set on fire three days after the Hamas attacks.
    — Helen Coster and Julia Harte, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of censure
Verb
  • President Donald Trump repeatedly tried to blame water issues and the Los Angeles fires on the Newsom administration’s management of Delta water supplies.
    — CalMatters, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Usually that takes the form of falsely blaming Israel for all Palestinian woes instead of recognizing Hamas's strategy of profiting off death, whether Israeli or Palestinian.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of blame
Verb
  • Few could fault Whitesell for seeking a fresh start with a focus on sports and live events.
    — Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025
  • News of the highly sensitive breach quickly drew damning comments from Democrats who faulted the carelessness.
    — Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of fault
Verb
  • Logical consistency would require these legislators to reprimand PURA’s rigid approach and call for more regulatory flexibility so utilities can invest proactively in essential cybersecurity measures.
    — Brian Harrell, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
  • As John Cena and The Rock's Third Man WWE Could Steal Away Top AEW Star: Report Strickland recounted a meeting with Vince McMahon, where the group was reprimanded for a member's aggressive phone call to a WWE office employee regarding B-Fab's flight details.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of reprimand
Verb
  • By building a social and political movement that gave him coercive power over the GOP, he’s been able to punish heretics and elevate loyalists committed to advancing his agenda and interests.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Nobody who voted for Trump last year did so to punish or annex Canada — or indeed Greenland, Panama or any other place that Trump is picking on.
    — Andreas Kluth, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of punish
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Denounce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denounce. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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