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denouncer

denouncer

7.5
A person who reports someone for doing something wrong
  • noun
  • /dɪˈnaʊnsər/
  • Formal
translation icon : denunciante
  • The journalist acted as a denouncer, bringing attention to widespread corruption in local government.

Examples

  • As a prominent denouncer of human rights violations, she regularly spoke out against injustice.

  • If I were gay, I would be the biggest Gaga denouncer out there (even more so than I actually am).

    Blog text (30)
  • Lincoln declines to speak as a prophetic denouncer of corrupt morals.

    Academic text (2001)
  • In doing so, the protesters, their denouncers, their apologists, and most especially those who would cast this as a clash of religious values, have become poor players acting out a script written by idiots.

    Blog text (31)
  • The whistleblower was praised for being a courageous denouncer of unethical practices in the company.

Synonyms

accuser
vsdenouncer
93 3.5

A person who says someone did something wrong

is more formal and public, focusing on alleged wrongdoing
detractor
vsdenouncer
33 7.1

A person who says bad things about someone or something to make them seem less good

is focused on formal public accusation of alleged bad actions
flayer
vsdenouncer
  • Offensive
1 8.6

A person who attacks someone strongly in speech or writing

is formal and public, focusing on alleging bad acts rather than insults
reviler
vsdenouncer
  • Offensive
1 8.7

A person who says mean things about someone, often publicly

is formal and public, targeting alleged wrongful conduct not personal abuse
criticizer
vsdenouncer
1 3.4

A person who says that people or things are bad

is specifically formal and public, accusing alleged wrongdoing
shamer
vsdenouncer
1 8.1

A person who points out others' faults to make them feel bad or embarrassed

is formal and public, focusing on accusing of wrongdoing rather than shaming
decrier
vsdenouncer
8.8

A person who publicly criticizes someone or something

is similarly public but emphasizes formal accusation of wrongdoing
condemner
vsdenouncer
5.6

A person who strongly criticizes someone or something

is more about official or public accusation of wrongdoing
castigator
vsdenouncer
  • Formal
9.9

A person who strongly criticizes or punishes someone

is less about punishment and more about formal public accusation
denigrator
vsdenouncer
8.6

A person who unfairly says bad things about someone to make them seem unimportant

is more formal and aims at public accusation about wrongdoing
rebuker
vsdenouncer
7.9

A person who criticizes someone strongly for their behavior

is public and formal, concentrating on alleged wrongful acts
reproacher
vsdenouncer
7.9

A person who often points out faults and blames others

is more formal and public, aiming to accuse of wrongdoing
reprover
vsdenouncer
8.6

A person who tells someone they did something wrong

is public and formal, focusing on alleged criminal or wrong acts

Antonyms

817 1.0

A person who backs a team or a cause

How Accusatory

whistleblower
324 6.2
accuser
93 3.5
denouncer
  • Formal
7.5
critic
563 3.0
commenter
  • Texting
126 2.8
observer
305 2.8

Surface Forms

denouncer singular
denouncers plural

Morphology

denouncer = denounce (transparent) = denounce + er

The agentive suffix '-er' applied to the verb 'denounce' yields a person who denounces, which is directly predictable.

Etymology

The word denouncer comes from the verb denounce, which has the prefix de- meaning 'down' and the same root as announce meaning 'to tell'. So a denouncer is someone who 'calls out' or publicly 'tells' about another person's bad actions.