censure

1 of 2

noun

cen·​sure ˈsen(t)-shər 

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

2 of 2

verb

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

transitive verb

1

a

: 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

censurer

ˈsen(t)-shər-ər 

noun

Did you know?

Censure Has an Offical Connotation

If you’re among those who confuse censure and censor, we don’t blame you. The two words are notably similar in spelling and pronunciation, and both typically imply acts of authority. It’s no surprise that they share a common ancestor: the Latin cēnsēre, meaning “to give as an opinion.” But here’s the uncensored truth: despite the similarities, censure and censor are wholly distinct in meaning. Censure means “to fault or reprimand,” often in an official way; censor means “to suppress or delete as objectionable.” So if you’re talking about removing objectionable content from a book or banning it from a library, the word you want is censor. And you can use censure to talk about criticizing, condemning, or reprimanding those pushing for censorship.

Synonyms

Noun

• commination
• condemnation
• denunciation
• excoriation
• objurgation
• rebuke
• reprimand
• reproach
• reproof
• riot act
• stricture

Verb

• condemn
• denounce
• objurgate
• rebuke
• reprimand
• reproach
• reprove

Choose the Right Synonym for censure

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 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

Similarly, in the legal profession, lawyers who violate state bar codes of conduct are subject to discipline, such as censure, suspension, or loss of license to practice law. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025

Representative Lauren Boebert has criticized her colleague Representative Chrissy Houlahan, the Pennsylvania Democrat who introduced a motion of censure against the Colorado Republican on Monday. —Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025

Verb

Cornyn was later booed at the Texas GOP convention that year and the Collin County GOP voted to censure him. —Julia Manchester, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025

The hearing was ultimately scheduled for May 13 by a unanimous vote, including a provision that the council consider censuring Barber at the hearing. —Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Kids Definition

censure

1 of 2 noun

cen·​sure ˈsen-chər 

1

: the act of blaming or condemning sternly

2

: an official expression of disapproval

censure

2 of 2 verb

censured; censuring ˈsench-(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to find fault with

2

: to express formal disapproval of

censured the senator for misconduct

censurable

ˈsench-(ə-)rə-bəl

adjective

censurer

ˈsen-chər-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

censure

noun

cen·​sure ˈsen-chər 

: an expression of official disapproval

a House resolution approving a censure of the representative

censure transitive verb