Main Entry: con·demn

Pronunciation: \kən-ˈdem\

Function: transitive verb

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

Date: 14th century

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

synonyms see criticize

— con·dem·nable \-ˈdem-nə-bəl, -ˈde-mə-\ adjective

— con·dem·na·to·ry \-ˈdem-nə-ˌtȯr-ē, -ˈde-mə-\ adjective

— con·demn·er \-ˈde-mər\ or con·dem·nor \kən-ˈde-mər; kən-ˌdem-ˈnȯr, ˌkän-\ noun