də̇ˈnau̇n(t)s, dēˈ- transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English denouncen, denounsen, from Old French denoncier to proclaim, pronounce, announce, from Latin denuntiare, from de- + nuntiare to report, announce, from nuntius messenger
1. : to pronounce (as a person, idea, course of conduct, political philosophy) to be blameworthy or evil : stigmatize or charge especially publicly, unequivocally, and indignantly : inveigh against publicly
denounced this perversion of his teaching with justifiable indignation — W.R.Inge
denounce the menaced proprietors as enemies of mankind — G.B.Shaw
2. archaic : to announce publicly and formally or solemnly ; sometimes : to declare or publish (something calamitous)
3. : to inform against : declare or make known (as a culprit) to authorities
denounced the conspirators to the authorities
4.
a. obsolete : to indicate by or as if by omen : portend , augur
b. archaic : to announce (as punishment, judgment, or other impending evil) in a warning or threatening manner
5. : to proclaim formally and publicly the termination of (as a treaty, truce, pact)
denounced the arrangement with their former ally
6.
[Spanish denunciar, literally, to proclaim, announce, from Latin denuntiare ]
Mexican law : to offer for record legal notice of a claim for a mining concession covering (a described area of land the mining rights for which are held by the government)
Synonyms: see criticize