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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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for denounce
Verb
  • Trump also signed an executive order targeting antisemitism, specifically condemning protests following Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
    William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Designed to enforce godliness in the newly Protestant country, the law condemned anyone who appeared to be conspiring with the devil, though women were the most common targets.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Musk has repeatedly criticized Social Security, one of the government's most popular programs, and DOGE staffers have been working inside the agency.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Hutchins’ mother, Olga Solovey, has criticized Baldwin’s response.
    Rachel Brodsky, TIME, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Libby was censured by the state House of Representatives on Feb. 25 in a partisan 75-70 vote.
    Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 12 Mar. 2025
  • When Republican state representative Laurel Libby brought this case to light, her colleagues voted to censure her, overstepping their bounds in the most un-American way possible.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Recently, however, doctors have started reporting more cases of iodine-deficient hypothyroidism—and our salt preferences may be at least partially to blame.
    Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The Democratic establishment’s focus on blaming Trump for those price spikes represents a stark break from its activists, who have launched a protest movement arguing that Trump is a budding dictator with no regard for the Constitution.
    Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • City audit led to changeover As for animal control, KC Pet Project sought that contract after a 2017 city audit had faulted the city-run animal control unit for being overly focused on issuing tickets to pet owners.
    Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Hours earlier, the head of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association officers’ union, Steadman Stahl, faulted Hill for winding up on the ground while being handcuffed.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Police had stern words for one teenager caught surfing and four others were also reprimanded for putting themselves and others in danger.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Trump and Vance reprimanded Zelensky, accusing him of lacking gratitude for U.S. aid.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Counties with Republican executives were punished by receiving no vaccination site for months.
    Ryan Silverstein, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
  • European leaders view the EU as an alliance focused on preventing wars after World War II, not punishing the United States, as Trump suggests.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
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 22 Mar. 2025.

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