denounce

/dɪˈnaʊns/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈnaʊns/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈnau̇n(t)s dē-/ (ame, mw)

denounce — verb

  • denouncepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • denounceshe / she / it
  • denouncedpast simple
  • denouncing-ing form

1. to express strong public disapproval of a person, policy, or action, often throu

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to express strong public disapproval of a person, policy, or action, often through speech or writing with clear moral judgement.

例句

Élise stood before the town council to denounce the plan to close the local library.

denounce + [plan] — public official setting

The opposition newspaper denounced the new tax policy as unfair to low-income families.

denounce + noun + as + adjective phrasing the reason

同義詞
  • condemn

    Similar in strength but often less focused on publicity; 'condemn' stresses moral judgement while 'denounce' stresses public accusation.

  • criticize

    A general term much broader in scope; lacking the forcefulness and formality of 'denounce'.

  • censure

    Refers to an official, institutional expression of disapproval rather than a public moral outcry.

  • decry

    Slightly more literary; emphasizes expressing strong disapproval openly, often in response to perceived decline or injustice.

反義詞
  • praise

    Direct opposite — express warm approval of someone or something.

  • commend

    Formal opposite — to praise officially or publicly.

文法句型

denounce + noun phrase

denounce + noun phrase + as + noun/adjective

denounce + noun phrase + for + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Frequently used in political, journalistic, and activist contexts. Stronger and more formal than 'criticize' — it implies a forceful, often moral condemnation. The passive voice is common when the condemning group is less important than the target: 'The policy was denounced by human rights groups.'

常見錯誤

❌I denounced my friend for being late.
✅I criticized my friend for being late.
💡'Denounce' is too formal and dramatic for everyday disagreements; use 'criticize' or 'complain' instead.
❌The article announced the government's corruption.
✅The article denounced the government's corruption.
💡'Announce' means to state something publicly (often neutrally), while 'denounce' means to criticize it strongly.

2. to give information to the police or other authorities about someone's wrongdoin

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to give information to the police or other authorities about someone's wrongdoing, especially when it relates to political matters.

例句

During the war, many people were denounced to the secret police by their neighbors.

passive: be denounced + to + [authority] + by + [person]

The dissident was denounced by a colleague and arrested the same week.

同義詞
  • report

    General term for telling authorities about wrongdoing; lacks the political and moral weight of 'denounce'.

  • inform on

    More informal; often implies secret betrayal rather than public accusation to authorities.

  • expose

    Focuses on revealing wrongdoing to the public rather than specifically to authorities.

反義詞
  • conceal

    To hide or keep secret, especially wrongdoing.

  • protect

    To shield someone from exposure or punishment.

文法句型

denounce + noun phrase + to + authority figure

denounce + noun phrase + for + noun/gerund

be denounced + by + noun phrase + to + noun phrase

用法筆記

The person being reported is the direct object; the authority receiving the information is introduced with 'to'. This sense frequently appears in historical contexts involving political persecution or wartime informants. The passive construction ('was denounced to') is particularly common.

常見錯誤

❌She denounced the police about her neighbor.
✅She denounced her neighbor to the police.
💡With 'denounce' in this sense, the accused person is the direct object, not the authority.
❌He denounced that his colleague was stealing.
✅He denounced his colleague for stealing.
💡'Denounce' takes a person or group as object, not a that-clause.