denounce

[ dih-nouns ]

verb (used with object)

, de·nounced, de·nounc·ing.

1. to condemn or censure openly or publicly:

   to denounce a politician as morally corrupt.

   Synonyms: brand, blame, stigmatize, attack

   Antonyms: commend, praise

2. to make a formal accusation against, as to the police or in a court.
3. to give formal notice of the termination or denial of (a treaty, pact, agreement, or the like).
4. Archaic. to announce or proclaim, especially as something evil or calamitous.
5. Obsolete. to portend.

denounce

/ dɪˈnaʊns /

verb

1. to deplore or condemn openly or vehemently
2. to give information against; accuse
3. to announce formally the termination of (a treaty, etc)
4. obsolete.
   1. to announce (something evil)
   2. to portend

Derived Forms

• deˈnouncer, noun
• deˈnouncement, noun

Other Words From

• de·nouncement noun
• de·nouncer noun
• unde·nounced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of denounce¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English denouncen, from Old French denoncier “to speak out,” from Latin dēnuntiāre “to threaten,” literally, “to announce from,” from dē- de- + nuntiāre “to announce” (derivative of nuntius “messenger”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of denounce¹

C13: from Old French denoncier to proclaim, from Latin dēnuntiāre to make an official proclamation, threaten, from de- + nuntiāre to announce

Example Sentences

Prior to the pardon, Democrats had been busy denouncing Trump’s nominees as threats to the intended firewall between politics and prosecutions.

From Los Angeles Times

Republicans have been quick to denounce the move - citing Biden's previous pledges not to intervene on Hunter’s behalf.

From BBC

Ukrainian officials denounced that outreach, saying that it broke Mr. Putin’s diplomatic isolation from the West and bolstered Moscow’s position ahead of possible peace talks.

From New York Times

“We denounce his candidacy and believe it to be perilous for our country.”

From Los Angeles Times

These commenters were denounced at the time by New Zealand’s defence minister as “armchair admirals”.

From BBC

Related Words

• accuse
• blame
• boycott
• brand
• castigate
• censure
• criticize
• decry
• excoriate
• prosecute
• rebuke
• revile
• scold
• threaten
• vilify