denounce

/dɪˈnaʊns/ · dih-NOWNSSverb

Publicly condemn or speak out strongly against someone, something, or an action.

Use denounce to express this relationship precisely: publicly condemn or speak out strongly against someone, something, or an action.

What denounce Really Means

The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.

1

Core action

Publicly condemn or speak out strongly against someone, something, or an action.

Example

The organisation denounced the attack publicly.

2

Common construction

Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.

Example

Several scholars denounced the policy as discriminatory.

3

Reasoning effect

It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.

Example

The statement criticises the decision but does not denounce its authors.

Use denounce Naturally

Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.

The organisation denounced the attack publicly.

Several scholars denounced the policy as discriminatory.

The statement criticises the decision but does not denounce its authors.

Precision Matters

Denounce overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.

denounce

Means publicly condemn or speak out strongly against someone, something, or an action.

vs.
censure

Means strong formal criticism or official disapproval.

denounce

Means publicly condemn or speak out strongly against someone, something, or an action.

vs.
repudiate

Means reject a claim, belief, agreement, or association as false, invalid, or unacceptable.

denounce

Means publicly condemn or speak out strongly against someone, something, or an action.

vs.
disdain

Means a feeling that someone or something is unworthy of respect; scorn or contempt.

denounce

Means publicly condemn or speak out strongly against someone, something, or an action.

vs.
extol

Means praise someone or something enthusiastically and publicly.

Test denounce in Context

They publicly express strong condemnation.

1

Community leaders gathered to ___ the deliberate destruction of the archive.

Prepared byFirst Academy
Editorial responsibilityFirst Academy Academic Team
Updated3 August 2026
Selection and reviewRead our methodology