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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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for denounce
Verb
  • Hochul was still speaking when New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy issued a statement from the other side of the Hudson River condemning the plan and vowing to sue to stop it from going into effect.
    Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
  • As philosopher George Santayana reminds us, those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it.
    Josh Becker, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Thao, the first Hmong American mayor to lead a major American city, was criticized shortly after taking office for letting go of a police chief and taking months to replace him.
    Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • But the group has largely been shy about criticizing Trump openly.
    Peter Green, Quartz, 9 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Paxton, like Cruz, was an early and ardent supporter of the lie that Trump won the 2020 election — claims that the attorney general took to the Supreme Court, and for which the State Bar of Texas is seeking to censure him.
    Saul Elbein, The Hill, 3 Nov. 2024
  • Colorado keeps complaints and any resulting discipline confidential, except in rare cases in which a judge is publicly censured or removed by the state Supreme Court.
    Elise Schmelzer, The Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Alexis no longer blames herself for her baby’s death.
    Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 11 Nov. 2024
  • Many Californians initially blamed Pete Wilson, who had become California’s governor in 1991.
    Eladio B. Bobadilla / Made by History, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Do not fault yourself for your process to get to progress.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Nov. 2024
  • The other driver in the April 10 Las Vegas accident, who was taken to the hospital, was faulted for failing to yield the right of way, according to the police report.
    Akash Sriram and Abhirup Roy, USA TODAY, 5 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • In the months since, Whitaker has criticized and reprimanded the prosecution over its disorganized handling of the case.
    Justin Curto, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024
  • Sometimes the moderator might also jump onto that bandwagon and reprimand the missing candidate.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Transactional The hallmark of transactional leadership is giving a clear objective and then rewarding or punishing employees based on performance.
    Jason Miller, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • By Peter Weber, The Week US published 5 November 2024 What happened Boeing's largest union approved the company's latest contract offer Monday night, ending a punishing seven-week strike.
    Peter Weber, theweek, 5 Nov. 2024
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near denounce

Cite this Entry

“Denounce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denounce. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on denounce

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