Synonyms of denounce

denounce

verb

di-ˈnau̇n(t)s 

1

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

• condemn
• criticize
• blame
• decry
• attack
• censure
• anathematize
• damn
• reprehend
• execrate
• disparage
• fault
• belittle
• sentence
• convict
• hate
• reprobate
• deprecate
• excommunicate
• ostracize
• chastise
• admonish
• pan
• chide
• knock
• berate
• scold
• slam
• upbraid
• abhor
• castigate
• doom
• detest
• dispraise
• revile
• rebuke
• loathe
• blacklist
• rake
• dis
• reproach
• blast
• reprimand
• reprove
• vituperate
• lambaste
• abominate
• imprecate
• curse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• endorse
• bless
• sanction
• commend
• praise
• applaud
• extol
• exalt
• glorify
• salute
• tout
• honor
• laud
• hail
• consecrate
• sanctify
• eulogize
• revere
• acclaim
• venerate
• hallow

2

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

• criticize
• blame
• condemn
• fault
• knock
• attack
• deplore
• censure
• slam
• tweak
• find fault (with)
• pan
• complain
• slag
• dispraise
• reprehend
• slash
• dis
• kick
• lash
• assail
• admonish
• come down hard (on)
• take to task
• blast
• chide
• mutter
• scold
• deride
• berate
• decry
• murmur
• whine
• crucify
• disparage
• upbraid
• grumble
• excoriate
• clobber
• cavil
• skewer
• moan
• bitch
• rebuke
• belittle
• castigate
• nick (at)
• beef
• snipe (at)
• reprimand
• reprove
• reproach
• growl
• quibble
• gripe
• flay
• grouse
• lambaste
• carp
• kvetch
• bellyache
• pillory
• bad-mouth
• croak
• crab
• hammer
• keelhaul
• drub
• fuss
• discommend
• niggle
• gibbet
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• praise
• endorse
• recommend
• commend
• extol
• laud
• sanction

3

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

• condemn
• censure
• reprimand
• punish
• criticize
• scold
• rebuke
• admonish
• reprove
• reproach
• call to account
• chastise
• objurgate
• bring to account
• berate
• castigate
• upbraid
• disparage
• rail (at or against)
• rag
• belittle
• cut up
• lecture
• deprecate
• jaw
• flay
• lambaste
• depreciate
• chew out
• tell off
• bawl out
• dress down
• keelhaul
• rate
• score
• gibbet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• endorse
• commend
• cite
• honor
• applaud
• approve
• hail
• praise
• sanction
• bless
• laud
• acclaim
• eulogize

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 denounce

Since being converted into a detention facility following anti-government protests in 2014, it has been repeatedly denounced by national and international human rights organizations. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026

Rowling denounced the Olympics in 2024 for allowing Khleif to box other women. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026

Zoltan and ter Kuile began using their platform to denounce Rowling’s transphobia. —Séamas O'Reilly, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026

After Kent’s resignation, Republican hawks denounced him as a kook and a traitor to the cause, without touching on the delicate question of why Trump appointed such a disreputable figure in the first place. —Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026