DENOUNCE Synonyms: 139 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'denounce' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of denounce are censure , condemn , criticize , reprehend , and reprobate . While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration. // a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

Q: When would 'censure' be a good substitute for 'denounce'?

While the synonyms censure and denounce are close in meaning, censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding. // a Senator formally censured by his peers

Q: When can 'condemn' be used instead of 'denounce'?

While in some cases nearly identical to denounce , condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment. // condemned the government's racial policies

Q: Where would 'criticize' be a reasonable alternative to 'denounce'?

In some situations, the words criticize and denounce are roughly equivalent. However, criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions. // criticized the police for using violence

Q: When is 'reprehend' a more appropriate choice than 'denounce'?

Although the words reprehend and denounce have much in common, reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking. // reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

Q: When might 'reprobate' be a better fit than 'denounce'?

The meanings of reprobate and denounce largely overlap; however, reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction. // reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

denounce

verb

di-ˈnau̇n(t)s

Definition of denounce

as in to condemn

to declare to be morally wrong or evil the church council denounced the bishop's teachings, officially declaring them to be heresy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to criticize

to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of denounced the shoddy merchandise that the local shops were foisting on tourists

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to censure

to express public or formal disapproval of the governor has denounced the court's decision and vows to press for a constitutional amendment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb denounce differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of denounce are censure, condemn, criticize, reprehend, and reprobate. While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

When would censure be a good substitute for denounce?

While the synonyms censure and denounce are close in meaning, censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

When can condemn be used instead of denounce?

While in some cases nearly identical to denounce, condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

Where would criticize be a reasonable alternative to denounce?

In some situations, the words criticize and denounce are roughly equivalent. However, criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions.

criticized the police for using violence

When is reprehend a more appropriate choice than denounce?

Although the words reprehend and denounce have much in common, reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

When might reprobate be a better fit than denounce?

The meanings of reprobate and denounce largely overlap; however, reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.

reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of denounce Seminole and Miccosukee people denounced it as a threat to their sacred homelands. — The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026 Councilwoman Victoria Watlington and other council members denounced their support for the initiative at the meeting. — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 2026 But when the major political parties denounced Farage’s move as a political stunt and boycotted the Clacton-on-Sea election in southeastern England, the trash-talking comedian was launched into prime position as default challenger. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 The news was welcomed by vaccine critics and denounced by many public health experts. — Rob Stein, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for denounce

Recent Examples of Synonyms for denounce

Verb

Tlaib has a history of comments about Israel that have been widely condemned by many of her colleagues, including Jewish Democrats from South Florida, over the years.

— Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday condemned the attack by Houthi rebels on the ship in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, saying three Pakistanis had been killed in the attack and another wounded.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of condemn

Verb

Wasserman Schultz was sharply criticized by Black community leaders and the other four candidates, who are all African American, for running in this district.

— Caroline Linton, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Ba's novels explored women caught between traditional upbringing and modern aspirations, criticizing polygamy, widespread in the country, and patriarchy.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

In an extraordinary step, the panel recommended that Edwards’ colleagues in Congress censure him.

— Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
The City Council, which is considering censuring the mayor, asked for assistance because the city’s Human Resources director wasn’t available at the time, according to Mayor Pro Tem Tara Graves.

— Elijah Megginson, AJC.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of censure

Verb

But blaming the technology risks obscuring the fact that humans write the code, select the data on which AI systems are trained, approve their use, and decide where and how they are deployed.

— Shaun Harper, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Many adults who struggle with food or body image blame the role models who were dieting during their childhood.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of blame

Verb

Sabalenka double-faulted on match point, her seventh double fault of the day, to put an exclamation point on an irritating evening.

— Lukas Weese, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Sherrill faulted the software vendor responsible for the defective system, the MVC for taking roughly a year to resolve the problem, and the previous administration for failing to disclose the error once it had been identified publicly.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 23 July 2026

Definition of fault

Verb

The audience awkwardly chuckles, and Scovel, eyes still closed, begins reprimanding them.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Rangel, who relinquished his position as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee amid the inquiry, was eventually censured, the first time a congressman had been thusly reprimanded in public in almost three decades.

— Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of reprimand

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“Denounce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denounce. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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