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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
  • House Majority Leader Matt Moonen condemned Libby in a statement on the House floor.
    Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2025
  • In an extraordinary illustration of the re-alignment on Ukraine, the U.S. sided with Russia in a vote against a United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning Russia, which passed on Monday with the support of the U.S.' traditional Western allies.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The decision to lift travel restrictions has been broadly criticized by politicians in Romania.
    Amy Croffey, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
  • New York Mayor Eric Adams was facing a criminal corruption case until it was suspended in February by President Trump's Justice Department, while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was criticized over her handling of the wildfires which struck the city in January.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • On Thursday morning, his colleagues returned to the chamber to censure Green by a vote of 224-198-2.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Ten Democrats joined all their Republican colleagues to censure Green.
    Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • The report equally faulted the yearslong development of the booster rocket under Dr. Lucas’s leadership.
    Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Almost immediately after the crash, President Trump publicly faulted the helicopter for flying too high.
    Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 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
  • When failure is punished, people stop trying for fear of punishment, and progress slows to a crawl.
    Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Treat Failures As Learning Opportunities Tech leaders who punish failures undermine innovation and ultimately squash creativity.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 3 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 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on denounce

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