condemn

verb

con·​demn kən-ˈdem 

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

kən-ˈdem-nə-bəl 

-ˈde-mə-

adjective

condemnatory

kən-ˈdem-nə-ˌtȯr-ē 

-ˈde-mə-

adjective

condemner

kən-ˈde-mər 

noun

or condemnor

kən-ˈde-mər 

kən-ˌdem-ˈnȯr,

ˌkän-

Synonyms

• denounce
• criticize
• blame

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

Minnesota’s Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson condemned the deception and affirmed how troubling the ambush was. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025

Civil liberties campaigners across Britain and beyond swiftly condemned the designation, warning that applying terrorism laws to such a group risks chilling free speech and assembly, while also setting a dangerous precedent for protest rights. —Kara Fox, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025

Academics can also study hundreds of cases to draw somewhat generalizable insights whereas practitioners are somewhat condemned to only experience small samples in their professional lives (working at say five or ten employers, at the most). —Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025

International reaction to the attack has been muted, with only a few voices condemning the lethal strike. —Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025

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

Phrases Containing condemn

• sentence/condemn to death

Rhymes for condemn

• mayhem
• atm
• chernozem
• diadem
• ibidem
• meristem
• clem
• em
• femme
• gem
• hem
• phlegm

Kids Definition

condemn

verb

con·​demn kən-ˈdem 

1

: to declare to be wrong : censure

condemned their behavior

2

a

: to pronounce guilty : convict

b

: sentence entry 2 sense 1

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 

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

kən-ˈdem-nə-bəl, -ˈde-mə- 

adjective

condemnation

ˌkän-ˌdem-ˈnā-shən 

noun

condemner noun

or condemnor

kən-ˈde-mər, -ˈdem-ˌnȯr