denounce

American  

[dih-nouns] / dɪˈnaʊns /

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.

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denounce British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• denouncement noun
• denouncer noun
• undenounced adjective

Etymology

Origin of denounce

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”)

Explanation

To denounce is to tattle, rat out, or speak out against something. When you stand on your desk and tell the class that your partner is cheating, you denounce him or her. The prefix de- means "down," as in destroy or demolish (tear down). Add that to the Latin root nuntiare, meaning "announce," and de- plus announce equals denounce. It's a word that shows up in the headlines often, as a country might denounce a corrupt election. Politicians love to denounce the shady behavior or their opponents. Denounce can also mean the official end of something, like a treaty.

Example Sentences

Lemonis joined a slew of business executives to denounce California’s business environment.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

The Pope has used numerous public addresses to denounce global conflicts and urge de-escalation in the Middle East.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

In 2022, he joined the vast crowds that poured onto the streets to denounce the death in detention of young Mahsa Amini after she was arrested for wearing her hijab improperly.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

That is because families feel newly emboldened to denounce the arrests of their loved ones.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

Then when her ready cash was gone, had come Who Flung to denounce his predecessor as a scoundrel and took up around the house himself.

From "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston

Related Words

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