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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
  • President Donald Trump in his election campaign condemned student protests against Israel's military action in Gaza, which followed the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel.
    Phil Helsel, NBC News, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Immediately, a slew of over 400 A-list Hollywood power players condemned such an action.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Musk has repeatedly criticized Social Security, one of the government's most popular programs, and DOGE staffers have been working inside the agency.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Hutchins’ mother, Olga Solovey, has criticized Baldwin’s response.
    Rachel Brodsky, TIME, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Libby was censured by the state House of Representatives on Feb. 25 in a partisan 75-70 vote.
    Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The fact that Moskowitz voted to censure Green is outrageous and demands an apology.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Asked for comment on Musk’s remarks and proof that immigrants living in the United States without legal status were to blame for the fraud, the White House didn’t offer any.
    Jane C. Timm, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Last month, an ICE supervisor in Charlotte blamed McFadden when a Honduran national charged with domestic violence walked free.
    Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Whereas, for example, if AI is part of a feature set, one component faulting does not necessarily cause the user to feel their tasks have been impeded.
    Agur Jõgi, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Critics also fault a lack of government investment in infrastructure.
    Patrick Oppmann, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The controversy is intensifying, with U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts having now publicly reprimanded the president after a social media post in which Trump called for the impeachment of Chief Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for Washington, D.C. — the ...
    Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 19 Mar. 2025
  • At the time, the House of Representatives, with the Democrats holding the majority, voted to reprimand Wilson, who later issued an apology to Obama.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Counties with Republican executives were punished by receiving no vaccination site for months.
    Ryan Silverstein, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
  • European leaders view the EU as an alliance focused on preventing wars after World War II, not punishing the United States, as Trump suggests.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 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 25 Mar. 2025.

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