condemn

verb

con·demn kən-ˈdem

condemned; condemning; condemns

Synonyms of condemn next

transitive verb

: to declare to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil usually after weighing evidence and without reservation

a policy widely condemned as racist

: to pronounce guilty : convict

: sentence, doom

condemn a prisoner to die

: to adjudge unfit for use or consumption

condemn an old apartment building

: 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-

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

Example Sentences

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 Public figures can now condemn LGBTQ people on national TV and spur social media followers to send death threats to drag events—even after a deadly mass shooting in a gay bar—or party with white nationalists and pay no price. —

Alaric Dearment, The New Republic, 2 Feb. 2023 Many of the protesters are inspired by Molavi Abdol Hamid, the most prominent Sunni cleric in the country, who has used his weekly sermons at the Makki Mosque in Zahedan to condemn the heavy-handedness of security forces and the abuse of detainees. —

Babak Dehghanpisheh, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2023 Following the testimony, Linder continued to condemn Brown by making comments in local newspaper articles. —

Jack Greiner, The Enquirer, 1 Feb. 2023 But critics have said too much attention has been focused on downtown, and Democratic leaders in the city condemn her record of holding education spending largely in check while boosting the city’s own budget. —

Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 1 Feb. 2023 One is a resolution that would simply express Congress’s gratitude towards U.S. law enforcement and condemn any efforts to defund the police. —

Anchorage Daily News, 1 Feb. 2023 Maron isn’t the only celebrity using his platform to defend Riseborough and condemn the Academy’s investigation. —

Zack Sharf, Variety, 30 Jan. 2023 Fresh snow and bitter cold did not stop chants from ringing out in the streets of Milwaukee as protesters gathered to condemn police brutality just days after video surfaced of the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols by Memphis police officers. —

Beck Andrew Salgado, Journal Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2023 Sannino went on to condemn Russia's seeming acceleration of attacks on citizens and cities versus military sites and infrastructure. —

Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner, 28 Jan. 2023 See More

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