denounce

[dih-nouns]

verb (used with object)

denounced, denouncing 

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

Other Word Forms

• denouncement noun
• denouncer noun
• undenounced 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

On Saturday in Venice, a large protest gathered on the Lido in support of the Palestinians and to denounce Israel's actions in Gaza.

From BBC

The secretary of State sidestepped a question about whether the action, which critics denounced as illegal under international law, signaled a return to “gunboat diplomacy” in a region where U.S. interventions have historically stoked resentment.

From Los Angeles Times

Hamas denounced what it called the "operations of systematic destruction" by Israeli forces in Gaza City, saying they constituted "an unprecedented violation" of international law.

From BBC

Underscoring the shift in relations, China's envoy in Delhi Xu Feihong recently denounced Washington's steep tariffs on Indian goods, calling the US a "bully" .

From BBC

That changed last week when the writer Carolina Capria denounced the group in a post that went viral.

From BBC

Related Words

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