denounces
Openly speaks against
Denounces is the third-person singular form of denounce, meaning to publicly declare something or someone as wrong, evil, or worthy of condemnation.
When a politician denounces corruption or a group denounces violence, they are making a formal, often emphatic statement of disapproval.
The senator denounces the proposed cuts as heartless.
The word carries more weight than simply criticizing—it implies a public, often moral stance against whatever is being condemned.
Alleges wrongdoing against
- censuresFormally expresses strong disapproval
- castigatesSeverely criticizes or punishes
- decriesPublicly criticizes harshly
- vilifiesHarshly criticizes reputation
rebukes · criticizes · blames · indicts · impugns · excoriates · lambasts · berates
Rejects with disdain
- disownsRejects as relation
- repudiatesFormally rejects or disavows
- disclaimsDenies connection or responsibility
- disavowsDenies responsibility or connection
rebuffs · abjures · forsakes · renounces · abandons · shuns · eschews · recants
Hostile dismissive feeling
- disdainScornful disregard
- contemptDisdainful disregard
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- displeasureMild anger or disapproval
opprobrium · disapprobation · deprecation · reproach · objection · dissatisfaction · disfavor · outrage
Insider who reports misconduct
- exposeMake known publicly
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- outcryLoud public protest
activism · dissent · transparency · accountability · leak · petition · testimony · watchdog
accuses
Alleges wrongdoing against
- censuresFormally expresses strong disapproval
- castigatesSeverely criticizes or punishes
- decriesPublicly criticizes harshly
vilifies · rebukes · criticizes · blames · indicts · impugns · excoriates · lambasts · berates · admonishes
spurns
Rejects with disdain
- disownsRejects as relation
- repudiatesFormally rejects or disavows
- disclaimsDenies connection or responsibility
disavows · rebuffs · abjures · forsakes · renounces · abandons · shuns · eschews · recants · retracts
scorn
Hostile dismissive feeling
displeasure · opprobrium · disapprobation · deprecation · reproach · objection · dissatisfaction · disfavor · outrage · indignation
whistleblower
Insider who reports misconduct
- exposeMake known publicly
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
outcry · activism · dissent · transparency · accountability · leak · petition · testimony · watchdog · condemnation
- criticismscriticizes, disparages, condemns, censures, denigrates
- disapprovaldisapproval, scowl, disapprove, disapproves, frown
denounce, denounced, denouncing, denouncer, denouncement, denouncers, denouncements, denounceable