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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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for denounce
Verb
  • The official added that the document condemned the healthcare industry for prioritizing profits over care.
    Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia have condemned Israel’s incursion, accusing it of exploiting the disarray in Syria and violating international law. Turkey, which has been a main backer of the Syrian opposition to Assad, also condemned Israel’s advance.
    Sarah El Deeb, Bassem Mroue, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Mangione was found with a three-page handwritten manifesto criticizing the U.S. healthcare system.
    Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Many people made public statements in support of Thompson, his family, and the capture of his killer, but others on social media celebrated the demise of a powerful figure in an industry often criticized for its denials of healthcare coverage.
    Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • There have been multiple calls for Clearview to be banned in the U.S. and in Europe it’s been fined and censured in multiple countries.
    Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
  • This comes despite the fact that he was censured by the House for his lies and despite the fact that the whole Russian collusion story was completely debunked.
    Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 18 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • President-elect Donald Trump called for nonintervention in Syria, blaming the escalating situation on former President Barack Obama.
    Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Their romance had only just been made public in 2016 and Meghan was suddenly engulfed in a storm of reporting from publications all over the world, and from the very newspapers Harry blamed for the death of his mother.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Either way, any outlook on higher education next year cannot be faulted for caution or even pessimism, though it’s likely driven far more by uncertainty than the status of the marketplace itself.
    Derek Newton, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Derik Queen isn’t bothered by freshman jitters Hardly anyone would have faulted the precocious youngster from Baltimore for feeling a little heat in his first true road game of the season in a hostile environment like the one created by the crowd at Mackey Arena.
    Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Lawmakers also made calls for the House Ethics Committee to look into the matter and demanded that Higgins be formally reprimanded. 2024 Presidential Election:When is the vice presidential debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance?
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 26 Sep. 2024
  • The Democratic chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee reprimanded the heads of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security for failing to appear for an annual hearing.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Although this got him over with fans, he was seemingly punished by WWE management with bad booking until he was eventually released in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 15 Dec. 2024
  • Biden was punished for abandoning border security, resulting in a crisis that forced him to ignore his left flank and put some immigration restrictions back in place.
    Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Dec. 2024
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near denounce

Cite this Entry

“Denounce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denounce. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on denounce

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