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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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for denounce
Verb
  • Addressing reporters outside the chamber, Democrats condemned the GOP’s anti-trans agenda and pointed out that even though the legislative session ends on Friday, lawmakers have still not passed a state budget for the year — the only law they are required to pass, according to WSB-TV.
    Samantha Riedel, Them., 3 Apr. 2025
  • Cost Of Reciprocal Tariffs China and other parts of the Asia Pacific region, Europe, large portions of South America, and the rest of North America have strongly condemned U.S. actions as an unreasonable overturning of global order, as Reuters has reported.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Critics of executive overreach have long criticized the Office of Legal Counsel as too permissive.
    Charlie Savage, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
  • On Wednesday, Trump announced sweeping tariffs that have been mostly criticized by agricultural and food groups for their potential to shrink markets for farmers and raise consumer prices.
    Tom Polansek and Leah Douglas, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • After the report was presented at their Tuesday meeting, town council members voted unanimously to hold a hearing on whether to censure Barber in May.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Libby is suing Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau and House of Representatives clerk Robert Hunt after the Democrat majority voted to censure her over a February social media post that identified a trans athlete who won a state pole vault competition.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Last month, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Trump's tariffs were partly to blame for price increases that had taken place in February.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • They are blamed for a mysterious illness that’s starting to spread – said to be passed through a single gaze, when one man falls in love with another.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Few could fault Whitesell for seeking a fresh start with a focus on sports and live events.
    Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025
  • News of the highly sensitive breach quickly drew damning comments from Democrats who faulted the carelessness.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Mickey Rourke was reprimanded on Celebrity Big Brother UK after using a homophobic slur toward fellow housemate JoJo Siwa.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The mom comes back and then reprimanded me for not supporting her baby’s head.
    Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • By building a social and political movement that gave him coercive power over the GOP, he’s been able to punish heretics and elevate loyalists committed to advancing his agenda and interests.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Officer Christopher Bowen claims he was punished with a shift change after missing arrest and traffic ticket quotas.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Denounce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denounce. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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