denounce

[dih-nouns]

See more synonyms for denounce on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), de·nounced, de·nounc·ing.

to condemn or censure openly or publicly: to denounce a politician as morally corrupt.
to make a formal accusation against, as to the police or in a court.
to give formal notice of the termination or denial of (a treaty, pact, agreement, or the like).

Archaic. to announce or proclaim, especially as something evil or calamitous.
Obsolete. to portend.

Origin of denounce

1250–1300; Middle English denouncen < Old French denoncier to speak out < Latin dēnuntiāre to threaten (dē- de- + nuntiāre to announce, derivative of nuntius messenger)

Related formsde·nounce·ment, nounde·nounc·er, nounun·de·nounced, adjective

Can be confuseddenounce renounce

Synonyms for denounce

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1. attack, stigmatize, blame, brand.

Antonyms for denounce

1. praise, commend.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for denouncement

denunciation, criticism, condemnation, incrimination, imputation, castigation

Examples from the Web for denouncement

Contemporary Examples of denouncement

After my first week on campus, I began to meet upperclassmen who were unapologetic in their denouncement of the University.
Freshman Year Sucks—and That’s OK
Eleanor Hyun
November 12, 2014
Kyle Smith's denouncement of Free to Be in Sunday's New York Post because it “emasculated men” is totally baffling.
‘Free to Be…You and Me’ Did Not Emasculate Men
Emily Shire
March 11, 2014

Historical Examples of denouncement

The Baronet not long after this denouncement retired to Boston.
The Loyalists of Massachusetts
James H. Stark
But a subject class or race does but little for their amelioration when content with its denouncement.
Shadow and Light
Mifflin Wistar Gibbs

British Dictionary definitions for denouncement

denounce

verb (tr)

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

Derived Formsdenouncement, noundenouncer, noun

Word Origin for denounce

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for denouncement

denounce

early 14c., "announce," from Old French denoncier (12c., Modern French dénoncer), from Latin denuntiare "to announce, proclaim; denounce, menace; command, order," from de- "down" + nuntiare "proclaim, announce," from nuntius "messenger" (see nuncio). Negative sense in English via meaning "to declare or proclaim" something as cursed, excommunicated, forgiven, removed from office. Related: Denounced; denouncing.