denounce
dih-NOWNSverbMeaning to declare publicly that something is wrong or evil
Memory hook de-NOUNCE: ANNOUNCE it is WRONG. From the town hall steps, the mayor announces to everyone that dumping trash in the river is wrong and must stop. To denounce is to declare publicly that something is wrong.
The mayor denounced the dumping of trash in the river.
In context Within hours, every club in the league had denounced the vandalism, calling it a shameful attack on a field that children used every day.
Similar condemn, decry, criticize, speak out against
Opposite praise, support, defend
From Latin denuntiare, “to announce officially, warn”: de + nuntiare (to announce).