A Word A Day : Denounce



Saturday, 15th March 2008 : Today's Word is ...

Denounce




( Transitive Verb )



Pronunciation : di-nówn-ss


Definition



1. to criticize or condemn something publicly and harshly

2. to accuse somebody publicly of something such as disloyalty, or inform against somebody

3. to make a formal announcement of the end of a treaty or other agreement ( formal )

4. to point out or publicly accuse as deserving of punishment


Etymology:


14th century - Via Old French denoncier - Latin denuntiare - nuntiare - proclaim, announce - nuntius - messenger


Synonyms:


censure, condemn, deplore, reprehend, reprobate, accuse, arraign, charge, incriminate, indict, tax, adjudicate, blacklist, blame, boycott, brand, castigate, charge, charge with, criticize, damn, declaim, decry, denunciate, derogate, dress down, excoriate, expose, finger, impeach, implicate, impugn, inveigh against, knock, ostracize, proscribe, prosecute, rap, rat, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, reprove, revile, scold, show up, skin, smear, stigmatize, threaten, upbraid, vilify, vituperate

NOTE:

To censure is to criticize vehemently or harshly or condemn.

To censor is to disallow portions or the entireties of books, plays or films on the grounds that they transgress propriety on order to scrutinize, revise or cut or expurgate or suppress.


Antonyms:


approve, commend, compliment, praise, honor, laud


Contextual Examples:


• Affection reproaches, but does not denounce.

• It is indecent to denounce a politician in public as morally corrupt.

• You and I, who control the secret service of the army, denounce certain men, upon no slight evidence, either as spies and we are laughed at.


Related Words:


denouncement : Noun

denouncer : Noun


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