What does it mean to openly condemn or brand something as disgraceful?

The term that means to openly condemn or brand something as disgraceful is "denounce." This word conveys a strong sense of public disapproval and indicates that someone is not only rejecting an idea or action but is also vocal about its negative attributes. Denouncing something typically involves making a statement of condemnation that highlights its undesirability, often to raise awareness or provoke action against it.

"Reject" implies simply not accepting or believing in something, but it does not carry the same weight of public condemnation that "denounce" does. "Advocate" is the opposite of condemning; it means to support or argue in favor of something. "Ignore" implies a lack of acknowledgment and does not entail any judgment or condemnation at all. Therefore, "denounce" is the most appropriate choice here, as it encapsulates the act of publicly criticizing something deemed disgraceful.