What does it mean to 'denounce' something?

• A. To support silently
• B. To approve and encourage
• C. To publicly criticize or condemn
• D. To ignore and overlook

Answer: (C)

To denounce something means to publicly criticize or condemn it. This term is often used when someone expresses strong disapproval of an action, behavior, or belief, making their stance known to others. When a person denounces an action or a policy, they are not just voicing personal displeasure; they are making it clear to a wider audience that they believe the action is wrong and should be challenged.

In contrast, the other options reflect passive or supportive behaviors rather than critical ones. Supporting silently implies a lack of vocal opposition, while approving and encouraging suggest outright endorsement rather than condemnation. Ignoring something entails a complete lack of response or acknowledgment, which is fundamentally different from denouncing, as it requires an active stance against something.