to denounce / to brand
Loading your saved state.
to denounce
To publicly and sharply condemn or denounce someone or something.
Die Aktivisten brandmarkten die Zerstörung des Regenwaldes als Verbrechen an der Natur.
The activists denounced the destruction of the rainforest as a crime against nature.
The word is made up of 'Brand' (fire) and 'marken' (to mark). The figurative meaning 'anprangern' (to denounce) derives from the original, literal act of burning a mark of shame onto someone.
Die Presse brandmarkte das Verhalten des Politikers.
The press denounced the politician's behavior.
'Brandmarken' is an inseparable verb. The stress is on the second syllable ('-mar-'), and the prefix 'brand-' is never separated from the rest of the verb in a sentence.
Er brandmarkte die Entscheidung als Fehler.
He denounced the decision as a mistake.
In the figurative meaning, 'brandmarken' (to denounce) is very often used with the preposition 'als' (as) to name what something is being condemned as.
Die Opposition brandmarkte die neuen Gesetze als undemokratisch.
The opposition denounced the new laws as undemocratic.
The literal meaning 'ein Zeichen einbrennen' (to burn in a mark) is now used almost only in historical contexts or in connection with marking animals (e.g., cattle, horses).
Im Wilden Westen war es üblich, seine Rinder zu brandmarken.
In the Wild West, it was common to brand one's cattle.
to sentence / condemn
'verurteilen' and 'brandmarken' can both mean that you strongly reject something. 'verurteilen' is more general and can also sound calm or factual. 'brandmarken' is sharper: it means to publicly present someone or something as bad and clearly denounce them. Learners may confuse the words because both express a negative judgment. If only the rejection is important, 'verurteilen' fits. If the focus is on public, harsh criticism, 'brandmarken' is more precise.
Nach dem Bericht brandmarkte die Zeitung das Verhalten des Politikers als verantwortungslos.
After the report, the newspaper denounced the politician's behavior as irresponsible.
Die Lehrerin verurteilt die Beleidigungen in der Klasse deutlich.
The teacher clearly condemns the insults in the class.