Denounce Meaning
/diˈnaʊns/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo make known in a formal manner; to proclaim; to announce; to declare.
verbTo criticize or speak out against (someone or something); to point out as deserving of reprehension, etc.; to openly accuse or condemn in a threatening manner; to invoke censure upon; to stigmatize; to blame.
Sentence Examples
The alterglobalists denounce growing inequalities.
We all denounce cheating on tests.
Sami decided to denounce Christ and become an atheist.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The senator stood up to ____ the unfair treatment of migrant workers.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The alterglobalists ____ growing inequalities.
Word Origin & History
From Old French denuncier, from Latin dēnūntiō (“to announce, to denounce, to threaten”), from de + nūntiō (“to announce, to report, to denounce”), from nūntius (“messenger, message”). Doublet of denunciate.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Nero[…]sent his Satellites or officers toward him, to denounce the decree of his death to him[…]."
— 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 35, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
"And full of peace, denouncing wrath to come"
— 1667, John Milton, Paradise Lost:
"Mr. Cameron had a respite Thursday from the negative chatter swirling around him when he appeared outside 10 Downing Street to denounce the murder a day before of a British soldier on a London street."
— 2013 May 23, Sarah Lyall, “British Leader’s Liberal Turn Sets Off a Rebellion in His Party”, in New York Times, retrieved 29 May 2013:
"It is the latest step towards an airline-style advance booking-only system, which rail users have denounced as signalling the end of affordable, immediate travel."
— 2024 February 7, Mel Holley, “Network News: LNER ditches Off-Peak for 70min semi-flexible fare”, in RAIL, number 1002, page 6:
"It would be possible to “denounce” (leave) the Convention altogether, but short of that, legislation to restore the death penalty would place the UK government in breach of its treaty obligations under the ECHR; it would breach international law."
— 2020 December 29, Matthew Scott, “How could Priti Patel reintroduce the death penalty?”, in BarristerBlogger (blog), archived from the original on 30 Dec 2020:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The senator stood up to ____ the unfair treatment of migrant workers.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The alterglobalists ____ growing inequalities.