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 Prosecutors call Hearn’s actions a deliberate, violent act causing more than $1,000 in damage, and his attorneys denounce the case as an alarming misuse of government power. — Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 During Democratic presidencies, which the DSA mostly spends denouncing the occupant of the Oval Office as a sellout, Democratic loyalists have less patience for factional complaints. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026 Morse, a progressive Republican from Wisconsin and an avid Cold Warrior, had been elected to the Senate from Oregon but left the Republican Party in part because of its failure to denounce Joseph McCarthy and, in 1955, became a Democrat. — Literary Hub, 1 July 2026 Groups including the Chicago Association of Realtors, Chicagoland Apartment Association and Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance continued to denounce the ordinance Monday in statements and during public comment at the meeting. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for denounce

Recent Examples of Synonyms for denounce

Verb

Eight of the primary winners who condemned the Gaza conflict were backed by American Priorities, a new pro-Palestinian super PAC supporting candidates who have been critical of Israel’s military actions.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 July 2026
Lot is often described in the Qurʾān, and in subsequent interpretive traditions, in the role of condemning the men of Sodom for lusting after men rather than women.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026

Definition of condemn

Verb

For all her talk of women as allies, Siebel Newsom portrays conservative women who criticize other women as dupes manipulated by MAGA leaders.

— Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Last month, his ally Uthmeier declined to criticize the state party’s decision to limit the debate.

— Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

Polis was censured by the Colorado Democratic Party in May as a result of his decision letting Peters out of prison.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 1 July 2026
The South Dakota Republican Party on Friday voted down a measure to censure Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) after the Senate failed to advance the SAVE America Act.

— Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 26 June 2026

Definition of censure

Verb

If these rotations fail to get results, will Spo take the blame or will fans forget his history and fault the player who is underperforming?

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026
The lawsuit also faulted organizers for not ensuring attendees did not have weapons, tear gas or bear spray, for allowing attendees to enter the festival from multiple unmonitored points and for not imposing security measures after problems at previous events.

— Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026

Definition of fault

Verb

Her Volumnia bellows at her meek daughter-in-law, Virgilia (Justine Faith) as though reprimanding an incompetent private.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Wimbledon fashion is also something that can get patrons in trouble, with Andy Samberg saying he was reprimanded for wearing black jeans in the Royal Box.

— Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of reprimand

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“Denounce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denounce. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of denounce

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