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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
  • An outspoken progressive, Ruffalo frequently condemns the Trump administration's raids, which began in June.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 8 July 2025
  • For instance, hundreds of political and civil rights activists—many of whom have been previously imprisoned—condemned Israel’s attacks in a joint statement.
    MOHAMMAD AYATOLLAHI TABAAR, Foreign Affairs, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Political dynamics: DeSantis criticized the Florida House for delaying condo relief legislation, while House Speaker Daniel Perez defended the decision to address the issue during the regular session, highlighting the collaborative effort between the House and Senate.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
  • The feud between the two was reignited after Musk criticized Trump’s big legislative package of tax reductions and Medicaid cuts, which passed Congress last week.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Tillis had earned a reputation in Congress as someone willing to work across the aisle — but the Republican Party of North Carolina censured him for it.
    Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 3 July 2025
  • In May, the IAEA censured Iran, claiming the country had stockpiled enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels of 90%.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Chemical residue can be a primary cause of stiff towels and products like fabric softener can often be to blame.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 6 July 2025
  • Was the project doomed by the economic realities of globalization, the competitive landscape in the smartphone business, or were Google’s shifting corporate priorities ultimately to blame?
    Verne Kopytoff, Fortune, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Firm's recommendations centered around more training The firm did fault a few of the department's actions, notably an Evendale supervisor's decision to pull into the parking lot of a Lockland school building within minutes of elementary school students being dismissed.
    David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
  • The crew members faulted producers for the hiring of armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter last year.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Dan Baltic, a co-founder in New Ritual Press and one of tonight’s readers, remembers being reprimanded in 2019 in a writing workshop by a woman who was appalled by the alt-right protagonist of his debut novel, Nutcrankr.
    John McDermott, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2025
  • Though city reprimanded the protesters, the group dissolved shortly after.
    Calista Oetama July 3, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • This punishes exposure but doesn’t reward preparedness.
    Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Świątek, 24, took an early lead in the competition, and continued at a punishing pace to secure a 6-0, 6-0 win in less than an hour of gameplay.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 12 July 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 18 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on denounce

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