"denote" in context

[simplythebest]

Hi,

I'd like you to tell me whether "denote" is correctly used in:

The missing words denote countries, capitals, nationalities or languages.

Is there a synonym for 'denote' in this context?

Thank you very much,
simplythebest

[Josef]

The missing words cannot really denote anything because they are missing

A word similar to denote is indicate, but it would be equally wrong in this context.

Perhaps you could say...
The missing words are countries, capitals, nationalities or languages.