Legal Definitions - denounce

To denounce means to formally and publicly express strong disapproval or condemnation of an action, policy, or individual. It can also refer to the act of officially declaring something to be a crime, or to formally terminating an international agreement between countries. In some contexts, it means to accuse someone of wrongdoing or to report them to an authority.

• Example 1: After a major corporation was found to be polluting local waterways, several environmental advocacy groups issued press releases and held protests to denounce the company's irresponsible practices and call for stricter regulations.

  Explanation: In this scenario, the environmental groups are openly and publicly condemning the corporation's actions, expressing their strong disapproval of the pollution and demanding accountability. This illustrates the meaning of publicly condemning something.

• Example 2: A whistleblower within a government agency decided to denounce a high-ranking official, providing evidence of corruption and misuse of public funds to investigative journalists.

  Explanation: Here, the whistleblower is accusing or informing against the official, bringing their alleged wrongdoing to light. This demonstrates the aspect of accusing or reporting someone to an authority or the public.

• Example 3: Citing irreconcilable differences in policy, Country A formally notified Country B of its intention to denounce their long-standing mutual defense treaty, initiating the process of withdrawal from the agreement.

  Explanation: This example illustrates the specific legal meaning in international relations, where a nation formally declares its termination of a treaty. Country A is giving official notice that it is ending its commitment to the defense treaty with Country B.