# denounce

/dɪˈnaʊns/ (US) · /dɪnˈaʊns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/denounce
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to condemn publicly

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to strongly and publicly say that someone or something is wrong, evil, or illegal.

For teachers: to publicly condemn or censure someone or something as being evil, wrong, or reprehensible.

- The government was quick to denounce the violent attacks on peaceful protesters.
- The international community moved to denounce the regime's human rights record, calling for immediate diplomatic sanctions.

### 2. to inform against

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to tell the police or authorities that someone has done something wrong or illegal.

For teachers: to make a formal or public accusation against a person; to inform against someone to the authorities.

- During the war, many people were afraid that their neighbours might denounce them.
- He was arrested after an anonymous source decided to denounce him to the secret police for anti-government activities.

### 3. to end a treaty

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

to officially announce that a government is ending a formal agreement or treaty.

For teachers: to give formal notice of the termination of a treaty, armistice, or international agreement.

- The nation decided to denounce the trade treaty after months of failed negotiations.
- The ministry issued a statement to denounce the long-standing armistice, citing repeated border violations by the opposing forces.

Usage: Usually takes a treaty or agreement as a direct object.

### 4. to proclaim or announce

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old way to say 'to announce' or 'to make something known' in a formal way.

For teachers: to make known in a formal manner; to proclaim or declare. This sense is no longer used in modern English.

- The herald arrived to denounce the coming of the new king to the people.
- In the ancient text, the prophet rose to denounce the impending doom that would befall the city.

## Examples

- The government moved to denounce the violent attacks.
- Human rights groups were quick to denounce the new law as a violation of basic freedoms.
- While some advisors suggested a quiet diplomatic approach, the president chose to formally denounce the treaty violation before the international assembly to signal a clear shift in policy.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.