denounce

/dɪˈnaʊns/

/dɪˈnaʊns/

Other forms: denounced; denouncing; denounces

To denounce is to tattle, rat out, or speak out against something. When you stand on your desk and tell the class that your partner is cheating, you denounce him or her.

The prefix de- means "down," as in destroy or demolish (tear down). Add that to the Latin root nuntiare, meaning "announce," and de- plus announce equals denounce. It's a word that shows up in the headlines often, as a country might denounce a corrupt election. Politicians love to denounce the shady behavior or their opponents. Denounce can also mean the official end of something, like a treaty.

Definitions of denounce

1. verb

   speak out against
   “He denounced the Nazis”

   types:

   fulminate, rail

   criticize severely

   condemn, decry, excoriate, objurgate, reprobate

   express strong disapproval of

   type of:

   criticise, criticize, knock, pick apart

   find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws
2. verb

   accuse or condemn openly or formally as disgraceful
   “He denounced the government action”

   synonyms: brand, mark, stigmatise, stigmatize

   type of:

   label

   assign a label to; designate with a label
3. verb

   give away information about somebody
   synonyms: betray, give away, grass, rat, shop, snitch, stag, tell on

   types:

   sell out

   give information that compromises others

   type of:

   inform

   impart knowledge of some fact, state or affairs, or event to
4. verb

   announce the termination of, as of treaties
   type of:

   announce, denote

   make known; make an announcement