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
  • Trump didn’t exactly condemn the missile strikes on Kyiv, the country’s second largest city.
    — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
  • On Friday, multiple freedom of the press organizations condemned the administration's latest move.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of condemn
Verb
  • She was criticized by some for her expensive timepiece and for using prisoners as production props.
    — Michael Collins, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Those signings by Guerin were, at the time, criticized as being premature.
    — Joe Smith, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • Cornyn was later booed at the Texas GOP convention that year and the Collin County GOP voted to censure him.
    — Julia Manchester, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025
  • The hearing was ultimately scheduled for May 13 by a unanimous vote, including a provision that the council consider censuring Barber at the hearing.
    — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of censure
Verb
  • Californians can blame the commissioner’s good intentions.
    — Max Taves, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Duffy should listen to the lawyers, but instead the Trump Department of Justice has transferred the handling of the congestion price litigation from New York lawyers to some in D.C., blaming the SDNY for intentionally sabotaging the case in filing the letter where it could be seen by all.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of blame
Verb
  • One board member defended the district’s decision, while another faulted it.
    — Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Cohen faulted big law firms for not standing up to Trump as they would be expected to do for any of their clients.
    — Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of fault
Verb
  • And when no one was fired or even reprimanded for the FUBAR, the accountability Hegseth promised had seemingly gone AWOL.
    — S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Rourke was formally reprimanded by the show and ultimately booted from the house.
    — Mikelle Street, Them., 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of reprimand
Verb
  • Detroit doesn’t just punish defensive miscues in the half court.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
  • There's an implicit fear of failure and an ingrained cultural mindset that punishes not rewards those who dare to think differently.
    — Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 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 2 May. 2025.

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