denunciatory

American  

[dih-nuhn-see-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, -shee-] / dɪˈnʌn si əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, -ʃi- /

Also denunciative

adjective

1. characterized by or given to denunciation.

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Other Word Forms

• denunciatively adverb
• nondenunciative adjective
• nondenunciatory adjective
• undenunciatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of denunciatory

First recorded in 1720–30; denunciate + -ory ¹

Explanation

Like to play the blame game? Try the adjective denunciatory! Anything denunciatory reproaches someone or threatens to punish them. If you blame the mayor for your town’s woes, write a denunciatory editorial for the local paper. This adjective comes from the verb denounce, "to declare to be wrong or evil," which originally simply meant "announce." The Latin root is denuntiare, "announce or proclaim." Denunciatory comments are often public — you point out bad stuff someone has done so other people will know and punish them for it. It’s not just for people – a denunciatory speech about plastic bags might make people stop using them, or at least it would make them aware of the downside.

Example Sentences

The Department for Work and Pensions has consulted with charities, but even before the Green Paper has seen the light of day some of those organisations have been firing off denunciatory press releases.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2025

“Nazi and Gestapo documents often have a denunciatory character and often reflect conflicts over power and influence within Nazi institutions,” the statement said.

From New York Times • Nov. 27, 2019

You issued a denunciatory manifesto that contained about as many words as the Declaration of Independence, and with many more “whereases” and “be-it-resolveds.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 29, 2016

European newspapers published denunciatory editorials by writers who had never set foot on any mountain, let alone the Matterhorn.

From National Geographic • Jul. 14, 2015

The dominant point of these denunciatory emanations, however, is that certain of our men of great fortune have acquired their possessions by dishonest methods.

From History of the Great American Fortunes, Vol. I Conditions in Settlement and Colonial Times by Gustavus, Myers