Word Showdown: Don’t Announce, Just Renounce or Denounce!

Understanding “Denounce” vs. “Renounce”

Learning new words can be fun and useful. Here, we learn the difference between two similar words: “Denounce” and “Renounce”.

History of the Words

• Denounce: This word comes from Latin “denuntiare”, meaning to make known or to proclaim.
• Renounce: This word comes from Latin “renuntiare”, meaning to give up or to refuse.

How to Use Them

Denounce means to publicly say something is wrong or bad. You tell others that you do not like or agree with something.

Renounce means to give up something by choice. You decide not to have something or not to do something anymore.

Trick to Remember the Difference

• Denounce: Think of “den” as in public declaration of something unwanted.
• Renounce: Think of “re” as in to reject or give up something.

Example Sentences Using “Denounce”

1. The mayor denounced the unfair law.
2. She denounced their actions in front of everyone.
3. The teacher denounced cheating in exams.
4. He denounced the violence on TV.
5. They denounced the use of plastic bags.

Example Sentences Using “Renounce”

1. She renounced her old beliefs.
2. He renounced his job to travel the world.
3. They renounced their rights to the property.
4. The prince renounced the throne.
5. We renounced unhealthy eating habits.

Summary

Both “denounce” and “renounce” mean you don’t agree with something, but they are used differently. “Denounce” means to speak out against something, while “Renounce” means to give up or reject something by choice.