Denounce v. Reject

Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:21 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC/NJ's Aswini Anburajan
For the word-o-philes out there, Obama wins with the word denounce which is more applicable to use when you find someone's positions distasteful

re·ject -a verb used as an object...
1. to refuse to have, take, recognize, etc.: to reject the offer of a better job.
2. to refuse to grant (a request, demand, etc.).

de·nounce -verb (used with object), -nounced, -nounc·ing. 1. to condemn or censure openly or publicly: to denounce a politician as morally corrupt.

1. to condemn or censure openly or publicly: to denounce a politician as morally corrupt.

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Comments

to Mark Hahn: Mark, I just went to www.dictionary.com, www.synonym.com and www.merriam-webster.com -- non of these resources indicate "reject" as a synonym for "denounce". Did you even bother to look before you made your grand statement?

Steve James (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 9:54 AM)

I've looked at every dictionary source I could find and Reject is not a synonym for denouonce. Sorry.

Bob Farling (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 9:57 AM)

What Obama was cleverly trying to do is say "I know the things Farrakhan represents are bad and I don't approve them (denounce) but I won't reject the votes that this guy can bring my way". Unfortunately for him they did not let him off that easy.

Steve James (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 10:04 AM)

come on people,
demounce = words
reject = action.

obama was dancing around the question.

Mimi (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 10:25 AM)

I believe that Obama at his word that he not accepting any help from the leader of the Nation of Islam. I think it was made quite clear on his position about this. What else need be said? Does Obama need to say that he would prefer that Farrahkan stop speaking all together? I am sure that many people would like that. Just remember that there is no monolithic community.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 10:32 AM)

Steve James (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 10:44 AM)

Imagine both of these candidates as President of the United States sitting across from leaders of other countries. Whom do you think will best represent a dignified and mature United States and will get up from the table having earned the respect of said leaders?

Roberta Tracewell (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 10:46 AM)

Although Minister Farrakhan had some nice things to say about Senator Obama, he never officially endorsed him.

JS, Washington, DC (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:37 AM)

So, was he being nice to Farrakhan by not rejecting. Denouncing seems harsh enough to me. What is the point here really? How would it help Obama to except Farrakhan's endorsment? He has nothing to gain from it.

FJ, Philadelphia PA (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:41 AM)

We Americans forever major on the minor and minor on the major. Hence, we have earned (* get as deserved) the title "dumb Americans". WAKE UP!!!!!!!

Christine B. Jackson, Baltimore, Maryland (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:58 AM)

How can you denounce and accept?

Vernon Chatman (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:18 PM)

Buried in this was the disingenuous anecdote HRC said about how she rejected the support of an anti-semetic group while running for Senate in NY even though it would "cost her votes"... this was supposed to be proof she acted on principle? New York City has more Jewish residents than Israel. I think while you could and should reject that support on principle, she knew there would be no tradeoff with votes. But the bottom line is, if you look at both of their records on Israel and the Jewish community, they are very strong.

Charlie, Skokie, IL (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:23 AM)

One more note... if you Google "denounce" and click on the definition, it is even more powerful than the one given here:

"To condemn openly as being evil or reprehensible."

If that was how Obama meant it... even if he was only referring to what Farrakhan stated... that should be strong enough of a statement for anyone to sink their teeth into.

Charlie, Skokie, IL (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 12:26 AM)

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