Renounce vs. Denounce — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 12, 2023
Renounce is to formally give up a right, position, or power. Denounce is to publicly declare to be wrong or evil.
Difference Between Renounce and Denounce
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Renounce" and "Denounce" are two verbs that carry distinct meanings, particularly regarding personal and public domains, respectively. "Renounce" involves a personal, often formal, rejection or abandonment of something such as a belief, claim, or title. On the contrary, "Denounce" pivots more toward a public condemnation or censure, often imbued with a moral or ethical undertone, firmly establishing its roots in external manifestation.
"Renounce" implies a relinquishment, where one deliberately forfeits a title, position, or belief, often driven by internal motivations or realizations. "Denounce" typically necessitates an external entity to be condemned or criticized, generally steering toward the infliction of societal or moral judgment. Therefore, "Renounce" often navigates through the corridors of personal decision-making, while "Denounce" traverses a pathway ornamented with public criticism and condemnation.
Interestingly, "Renounce" is often engaged in the context of forsaking something that personally belongs to or is associated with an individual. "Denounce," however, may not always require personal association or involvement with what is being condemned. Thus, "Renounce" harbors an intrinsic, self-directed nuance, while "Denounce" could exist independently of personal ties or associations.
In legal or formal spheres, "Renounce" may indicate the formal rejection of a title, position, or inheritance. Conversely, "Denounce" may not necessarily intertwine with legalities or formalities but might rather stand aloof as a moral or ethical condemnation. Hence, the legal or formal sphere might embrace "Renounce" more intimately than it does "Denounce," which finds its place more comfortably in moral and social scenarios.
Employing "Renounce" implies a self-directed action and is devoid of the necessity for an audience. "Denounce," however, intrinsically involves an audience, given its inherent objective to declare condemnation or criticism. Consequently, "Renounce" can be perceived as internally reflective, whereas "Denounce" externally projective, broadcasting its message outwardly toward society or a particular demographic.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Connotation
Relinquishment
Condemnation
Intrinsic/Extrinsic
Intrinsic, involving self
Extrinsic, involves an external entity
Association
Personal association
May not require personal involvement
Legal/Formal Use
Can be legal/formal, e.g., renouncing a title
Largely moral/ethical, not typically legal
Audience Involvement
Does not inherently require an audience
Generally requires an audience
Compare with Definitions
Renounce
To refuse to recognize or abide any longer.
They renounce the authority of the leaders.
Denounce
To criticize or speak out against.
She denounces all forms of hatred.
Renounce
To speak against a previous belief.
He renounced his former way of thinking.
Denounce
To expose as reprehensible or wicked.
The dictator was denounced for his atrocities.
Renounce
To formally give up a title or position.
He chose to renounce his royal title.
Denounce
To inform against, to accuse.
The whistleblower denounces the fraudulent activities.
Renounce
To reject or disown.
They renounce all claims to the throne.
Denounce
To condemn openly or publicly.
They denounce the government's actions.
Renounce
To give up (a title or possession, for example), especially by formal announcement.
Denounce
To condemn openly as being wrong or reprehensible.
Renounce
To decide or declare that one will no longer adhere to (a belief or position); reject.
Denounce
To inform against (someone); accuse publicly.
Renounce
To decide or declare that one will no longer engage in (a practice) or use (something)
Renounce violence.
Denounce
To give formal announcement of the ending of (a treaty).
Renounce
To disclaim one's association with (a person or country, for example).
Denounce
To make known in a formal manner; to proclaim; to announce; to declare.
Renounce
To give up, relinquish, or reject something.
Denounce
(transitive) To criticize or speak out against (someone or something); to point out as deserving of reprehension, etc.; to openly accuse or condemn in a threatening manner; to invoke censure upon; to stigmatize; to blame.
To denounce someone as a swindler, or as a coward
Renounce
(card games) An act of renouncing.
Denounce
(transitive) To make a formal or public accusation against; to inform against; to accuse.
To denounce a confederate in crime
To denounce someone to the authorities
Renounce
(transitive) To give up, resign, surrender.
To renounce a title to land or to a throne
Denounce
To proclaim in a threatening manner; to threaten by some outward sign or expression; make a menace of.
To denounce war; to denounce punishment
Renounce
(transitive) To cast off, repudiate.
Denounce
(transitive) To announce the termination of; especially a treaty or armistice.
Renounce
(transitive) To decline further association with someone or something, disown.
Denounce
To claim the right of working a mine that is abandoned or insufficiently worked.
Renounce
(transitive) To abandon, forsake, discontinue (an action, habit, intention, etc), sometimes by open declaration.
Denounce
To make known in a solemn or official manner; to declare; to proclaim (especially an evil).
Denouncing wrath to come.
I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish.
Renounce
(intransitive) To make a renunciation of something.
Denounce
To proclaim in a threatening manner; to threaten by some outward sign or expression.
His look denounced desperate.
Renounce
(intransitive) To surrender formally some right or trust.
Denounce
To point out as deserving of reprehension or punishment, etc.; to accuse in a threatening manner; to invoke censure upon; to stigmatize.
Denounced for a heretic.
To denounce the immoralities of Julius Cæsar.
Renounce
To fail to follow suit; playing a card of a different suit when having no card of the suit led.
Denounce
Speak out against;
He denounced the Nazis
Renounce
To declare against; to reject or decline formally; to refuse to own or acknowledge as belonging to one; to disclaim; as, to renounce a title to land or to a throne.
Denounce
To accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful;
He denounced the government action
She was stigmatized by society because she had a child out of wedlock
Renounce
To cast off or reject deliberately; to disown; to dismiss; to forswear.
This world I do renounce, and in your sightsShake patiently my great affliction off.
Denounce
Announce the termination of, as of treaties
Renounce
To disclaim having a card of (the suit led) by playing a card of another suit.
From Thebes my birth I own; . . . since no disgraceCan force me to renounce the honor of my race.
Either to die the death, or to abjureForever the society of man.
Ease would recantVows made in pain, as violent and void.
Denounce
Give away information about somebody;
He told on his classmate who had cheated on the exam
Renounce
To make renunciation.
He of my sons who fails to make it good,By one rebellious act renounces to my blood.
Denounce
To announce formally the termination of.
The treaty was denounced by the government.
Renounce
To decline formally, as an executor or a person entitled to letters of administration, to take out probate or letters.
Dryden died without a will, and his widow having renounced, his son Charles administered on June 10.
Renounce
Act of renouncing.
Renounce
Give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors, or duties and obligations;
The King abdicated when he married a divorcee
Renounce
Leave (a job, post, post, or position) voluntarily;
She vacated the position when she got pregnant
The chairman resigned when he was found to have misappropriated funds
Renounce
Turn away from; give up;
I am foreswearing women forever
Renounce
Cast off or disown;
She renounced her husband
The parents repudiated their son
Renounce
To declare abandonment of a belief or activity.
She decided to renounce her involvement in the organization.
Common Curiosities
Can "Renounce" indicate a permanent decision?
Yes, "Renounce" often implies a firm, sometimes permanent, abandonment.
Can "Renounce" relate to beliefs?
Yes, one can "Renounce" beliefs, indicating a rejection of them.
Is "Denounce" always negative?
Typically, "Denounce" implies a negative condemnation or criticism.
Can you "Denounce" a friend for wrongdoing?
Yes, you can denounce anyone or anything that you believe is wrong.
Does "Denounce" imply a call to action?
Not always, but it may inspire or incite action due to the condemnation.
Can “Denounce” relate to actions or behaviors?
Yes, one can denounce actions or behaviors deemed wrong or immoral.
Can "Renounce" involve formal or legal processes?
Yes, "Renounce" can involve formally rejecting a title, position, or claim.
Can "Renounce" imply a self-sacrifice?
It can, especially if one renounces something beneficial for ethical reasons.
Does "Denounce" require a moral or ethical standpoint?
Generally, "Denounce" involves a moral or ethical condemnation.
Can you "Renounce" a person?
It’s more common to renounce a position, belief, or claim rather than a person.
Is "Renounce" related to personal decisions?
Primarily, yes. "Renounce" often involves a personal relinquishment.
Can "Denounce" be political?
Yes, "Denounce" is often used to condemn political actions or policies.
Is "Denounce" used in legal terminology?
It is more commonly used in moral/social contexts, not specifically legal.
Can you "Renounce" without stating it publicly?
Yes, renouncing can be a personal, unexpressed decision.
Is "Renounce" active or passive?
It's active, as it involves a deliberate act of giving something up.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
