condemn

verb

con·​demn kən-ˈdem How to pronounce condemn (audio)
condemned; condemning; condemns

transitive verb

1
: to declare to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil usually after weighing evidence and without reservation
a policy widely condemned as racist
2
a
: to pronounce guilty : convict
b
: sentence, doom
condemn a prisoner to die
3
: to adjudge unfit for use or consumption
condemn an old apartment building
4
: to declare convertible to public use under the right of eminent domain
condemnable adjective
condemnatory adjective
condemner noun
or condemnor
kən-ˈde-mər How to pronounce condemn (audio)
kən-ˌdem-ˈnȯr,
ˌkän-
Choose the Right Synonym for condemn

criticize, reprehend, censure, reprobate, condemn, denounce mean to find fault with openly.

criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions.

criticized the police for using violence

reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.

reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

Examples of condemn in a Sentence

We strongly condemn this attack against our allies. The government condemns all acts of terrorism. The country condemns the use of violence on prisoners. The school condemns cheating, and any student caught cheating will be expelled. City officials condemned our apartment building and forced us to leave.
Recent Examples on the Web French solved this problem for herself early on by condemning her detectives to a one-and-done system. Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024 Specifically, lawmakers wrapped up House bills building on workforce training efforts, providing an extra check to public retirees and condemning antisemitism. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Mar. 2024 Mayes' spokesperson, Richie Taylor, said the attorney general condemned Horne's response. Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2024 Still, many Ukrainians are unconvinced and while President Volodymyr Zelensky was quick to condemn Navalny’s death as the latest evidence of Putin’s murderous regime, there was no outpouring of condolences. Serhiy Morgunov, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 At the State Department in Washington, spokesman Matthew Miller condemned the attack. Jon Gambrell and Tara Copp, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 The European Union condemned those attacks while expressing solidarity with the troubled nation. Nimi Princewill, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 Through a series of lessons, Patel learned about the importance of creating rather than condemning. Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024 The ferocity of that response has been condemned by many countries around the world. Cary Spivak, Journal Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'condemn.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French condempner, from Latin condemnare, from com- + damnare to condemn — more at damn

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of condemn was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near condemn

Cite this Entry

“Condemn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condemn. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

condemn

verb
con·​demn kən-ˈdem How to pronounce condemn (audio)
1
: to declare to be wrong : censure
condemned their behavior
2
a
: to pronounce guilty : convict
3
: to declare to be unfit for use or consumption
a condemned building
condemnation
ˌkän-ˌdem-ˈnā-shən
-dəm-
noun
condemner noun
or condemnor
kən-ˈdem-ər

Legal Definition

condemn

transitive verb
con·​demn kən-ˈdem How to pronounce condemn (audio)
1
: to impose a penalty on
especially : to sentence to death
2
: to adjudge unfit for use or consumption
3
: to declare convertible to public use under the right of eminent domain : take
condemnable adjective
condemnation noun
condemner noun
or condemnor
kən-ˈde-mər, -ˈdem-ˌnȯr

More from Merriam-Webster on condemn

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