censure

noun

cen·sure | \ ˈsen(t)-shər

Definition of censure

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a judgment involving condemnation unorthodox practices awaiting the censure of the city council

2 : the act of blaming or condemning sternly The country faces international censure for its alleged involvement in the assassination.

3 : an official reprimand The lawyer's misconduct resulted in a letter of censure from the judge.

4 archaic : opinion, judgment

censure

verb

censured; censuring\ ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)riŋ

Definition of censure (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to find fault with and criticize as blameworthy She would tell him it was … no sign of a good pastor to be eternally censuring his flock.— Charlotte Brontë

b : to formally reprimand (someone) : to express official censure of (someone) While a vote to censure the president has no legal ramifications, it is a significant and rare symbolic vote of disapproval.— Emma Loop

2 obsolete : estimate, judge

Other Words from censure Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Censure Has an Offical Connotation More Example Sentences Learn More about censure

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for censure

Verb

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

Censure Has an Offical Connotation

Verb

Censure and its synonyms criticize, reprehend, condemn, and denounce all essentially mean "to find fault with openly." Additionally, censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and often refers to an official action. Criticize implies finding fault with someone’s methods, policies, or intentions, as in "the commentator criticized the manager’s bullpen strategy." Reprehend implies sharp criticism or disapproval, as in "a teacher who reprehends poor grammar." Condemn usually suggests a final unfavorable judgment, as in "the group condemned the court’s decision to execute the criminal." Denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration, as in "her letter to the editor denounced the corrupt actions of the mayor’s office."

Examples of censure in a Sentence

Noun The country faces international censure for its alleged involvement in the assassination. a rare censure of a senator by the full United States Senate for misconduct Verb He was censured by the committee for his failure to report the problem. a vote to censure the President for conduct that was unbecoming to his office

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Some Democrats, like Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, argued that a bipartisan censure resolution with Republican support would be a better outcome this time around. — Peter Baker, Star Tribune, "Analysis: House managers aim arguments at nation and history," 11 Feb. 2021 The Wyoming GOP approved a censure resolution by a vote of 56 to 8. — Caroline Linton, Rebecca Kaplan, CBS News, "Wyoming GOP censures Liz Cheney for impeachment vote," 7 Feb. 2021 The censure resolution was criticized by Glenn Hamer, a former executive director of the Arizona Republican Party, who denounced the notion of purity tests. — Carly Roman, Washington Examiner, "South Carolina GOP censures Tom Rice over vote to impeach Trump," 30 Jan. 2021 The Democratic complaint asks the committee to consider recommendations on censure, a formal but largely symbolic reprimand, or expulsion, the process by which senators are removed from office. — oregonlive, "Josh Hawley seeks probe of 7 Democrats, including Oregon’s Ron Wyden, for ethics complaint against him," 25 Jan. 2021 Admission to practice law in New York is controlled by the courts’ discipline and grievance committees, which can recommend punishments including censure, suspension or disbarment for violations of professional conduct rules. — Erik Larson, Bloomberg.com, "Giuliani May Be Expelled by New York Bar Group Over Capitol Riot," 11 Jan. 2021 One of the five Republicans who voted against Paul’s motion, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, is working with Kaine to use censure as an alternative to a trial. — Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, "As the numbers suggest a Trump acquittal, Senators explore censure and brace for impeachment trial," 28 Jan. 2021 Senators Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia, and Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, floated a bipartisan censure of Mr. Trump in lieu of a trial, setting off a flurry of debate over the topic. — New York Times, "McConnell Was Done With Trump. His Party Said Not So Fast.," 27 Jan. 2021 While Democrats were initially near unanimity in their enthusiasm for impeachment and conviction, in light of the strong GOP opposition to a trial proceeding, at least some senators are open to pursuing censure as an alternative. — Carly Roman, Washington Examiner, "Kevin McCarthy to meet with Trump in Florida: Report," 27 Jan. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The North Carolina Republican Party Central Committee voted unanimously to censure Burr over his vote on Monday, arguing the impeachment was unconstitutional. — Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, "Sen. Pat Toomey faces censure over impeachment vote: 'We did not send him there to do the right thing'," 17 Feb. 2021 Pennsylvania’s Republican Party is planning a meeting to potentially censure Sen. Pat Toomey over his vote to convict Trump, according to county party officials. — Bryan Anderson, BostonGlobe.com, "North Carolina GOP votes to censure Burr after impeachment vote," 16 Feb. 2021 And, in a vivid indication of a divided state, an attempt by local Republicans to censure Mr. Meijer for supporting impeachment deadlocked, 11 to 11. — New York Times, "On Trump, Michigan Republicans Lean One Way: ‘Fealty at All Costs’," 16 Feb. 2021 Party members in Utah, Pennsylvania, Nebraska and Maine have also threatened to censure Sens. — Katie Shepherd, Anchorage Daily News, "GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger’s family lashed out at him for voting to impeach Trump: ‘We are thoroughly disgusted with you!’," 16 Feb. 2021 Pennsylvania's Republican Party is planning a meeting to potentially censure Sen. Pat Toomey over his vote to convict Trump, according to county party officials. — Bryan Anderson, Star Tribune, "NC GOP votes to censure Sen. Burr after impeachment vote," 15 Feb. 2021 Several party members spoke out against the move to censure Cheney. — Caroline Linton, Rebecca Kaplan, CBS News, "Wyoming GOP censures Liz Cheney for impeachment vote," 7 Feb. 2021 Last week the local Republican Party in the state's largest conservative county reportedly voted to help other counties in their bid to censure Sasse, 48, a Nebraska native who has served in the Senate since 2015. — Fox News, "Ben Sasse's anti-Trump statements draw more Nebraska backlash," 7 Feb. 2021 In Laramie County, a resolution to censure Cheney is slated to be on the agenda during the county GOP’s central committee meeting Feb. 16. — al, "Liz Cheney censured by Wyoming GOP for Trump impeachment vote," 7 Feb. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'censure.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for censure

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French censure, borrowed from Latin cēnsūa "office of censor, assessment, moral oversight," from cēnsēre "to give as an opinion, perform the duties of a censor" + -ūra -ure — more at censor entry 1

Verb

derivative of censure entry 1, probably after Middle French censurer

Keep scrolling for more