denounce

Everyday

1. To say publicly and strongly that something or someone is wrong, bad or evil. tree →
2. To tell the authorities that someone has done something wrong, often to get them punished: «He denounced his neighbour to the police». tree →

In the lessons

In news and history: leaders denounce violence, unfair laws or cruelty; in some dark times of history, people were forced to denounce friends and family. In the Bible, prophets denounced kings who did wrong. In ethics lessons: it can be brave to denounce bullying. Phrases: «denounce as», «publicly denounce», «denounce someone to the authorities».

Examples

• The mayor denounced the attack on the mosque. tree →
• The prophet denounced the king for his greed. tree →
• Pupils denounced the bullying in a school assembly. tree →
• The spy was denounced to the police. tree →
• Many people denounced the plan as unfair. tree →
• The church leaders denounced the cruelty to refugees. tree →
• Meanwhile, the townspeople got up a petition against him, and denounced him to the King, saying: tree →

Note

Regular verb. Noun: «denunciation» (note the spelling change: «-nunc-», not «-nounc-»). Stronger than «criticise». Do not confuse with «renounce» (to give up something, such as a right or belief) or «announce» (to tell people news).

In Jewish tradition

In news and history: leaders denounce violence, unfair laws or cruelty; in some dark times of history, people were forced to denounce friends and family. In the Bible, prophets denounced kings who did wrong. In ethics lessons: it can be brave to denounce bullying. Phrases: «denounce as», «publicly denounce», «denounce someone to the authorities».

Note

Regular verb. Noun: «denunciation» (note the spelling change: «-nunc-», not «-nounc-»). Stronger than «criticise». Do not confuse with «renounce» (to give up something, such as a right or belief) or «announce» (to tell people news).