condemn

verb con·demn \ kən-ˈdem \

Definition of condemn

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

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condemnable

play \kən-ˈdem-nə-bəl, -ˈde-mə-\ adjective

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condemnatory

play \kən-ˈdem-nə-ˌtȯr-ē, -ˈde-mə-\ adjective

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condemner

play \kən-ˈde-mər\ or condemnor play \kən-ˈde-mər; kən-ˌdem-ˈnȯr, ˌkän-\ noun

See condemn defined for English-language learners

See condemn defined for kids

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 of condemn from the Web

When word of Göldi's execution spread through Europe, her execution was condemned as barbaric.

— ben panko, Smithsonian, "Last Person Executed as a Witch in Europe Gets a Museum," 29 Aug. 2017
Years later, the Butlers won a $23,000 civil judgment against Aitcheson, and received a personal visit from President Ronald Reagan, who with his wife, Nancy, condemned the hate crime.

— matthew barakat, The Seattle Times, "Cross-burning victims wonder why priest is confessing now," 24 Aug. 2017
The inmates facing imminent execution are older than 50 — one is approaching 80 — and were condemned for crimes that took place decades ago.

— shelby grad, latimes.com, "After 11-year hiatus, could death penalty soon be carried out again in California?," 24 Aug. 2017
Coulter’s new book, which is, as The Atlantic notes, a defense of President Trump and Trumpism, comes during a week when the president failed to immediately condemn neo-Nazis and other hate groups.

— hilary weaver, Vanities, "Ann Coulter Has No Time for Your Hamptons Book Party “Rules”," 17 Aug. 2017
His older brother, Chris, took to Twitter on Saturday morning to condemn the white nationalist march.

— chris chavez, SI.com, "Bears' Kyle Long Speaks Out After Violence In Hometown Charlottesville," 14 Aug. 2017
About 200 people gathered at the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial on Sunday evening, holding signs condemning hatred and promoting unity.

— nicole blanchard and ruth brown, idahostatesman, "In Charlottesville, grief. In Idaho, vigils and support.," 13 Aug. 2017
A whole new set of concerts is on tap The fair will have nightly free concerts on the field at Old Cardinal Stadium — the stadium grandstand has been condemned and is off limits — along with three paid concerts at Freedom Hall.

— sheldon s. shafer, The Courier-Journal, "Here are 5 things (and more) to know about the 2017 Kentucky State Fair," 11 Aug. 2017
The statement was part of a speech in which the president strongly condemned gang violence by MS-13, a ruthless criminal cartel with a strong and growing presence in parts of the United States, including Ohio.

— phillip morris, cleveland.com, "President Trump's ideas on rough policing are dangerous for America: Phillip Morris," 2 Aug. 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of condemn

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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condemn Synonyms

Synonyms

anathematize, censure, damn, decry, denounce, execrate, reprehend, reprobate

Antonyms

bless

Related Words

attack, blame, blast, criticize, dis (also diss) [slang], dispraise, fault, knock, pan, slam; belittle, deprecate, disparage; doom, sentence; convict; blacklist, excommunicate, ostracize; castigate, chastise, rebuke, reprimand, reproach; admonish, chide, reprove; berate, lambaste (or lambast), rake, scold, upbraid, vituperate; curse, imprecate; abhor, abominate, detest, hate, loathe, revile

Near Antonyms

approve, endorse (also indorse), sanction; eulogize, exalt, extol (also extoll), glorify, laud, praise; acclaim, applaud, commend, hail, salute, tout; consecrate, hallow, sanctify; honor, revere, venerate

Synonym Discussion of 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

CONDEMN Defined for English Language Learners

condemn

verb

Definition of condemn for English Language Learners

: to say in a strong and definite way that someone or something is bad or wrong
: to give (someone) a usually severe punishment
: to cause (someone) to suffer or live in difficult or unpleasant conditions

CONDEMN Defined for Kids

condemn

verb con·demn \ kən-ˈdem \

Definition of condemn for Students

condemned; condemning

1 :to cause to suffer or live in difficult or unpleasant conditions

She was condemned to spend her summer in a cast.

2 :to sentence to a usually severe punishment

The criminals were condemned and punished.

3 :to declare to be wrong

School policy condemns cheating.

4 :to declare to be unfit for use

condemn a house

Law Dictionary

condemn

transitive verb con·demn \ kən-ˈdem \

legal Definition of condemn

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

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condemnable

play \kən-ˈdem-nə-bəl, -ˈde-mə-\ adjective

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condemnation

play \ˌkän-ˌdem-ˈnā-shən\ noun

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condemner

or condemnor \kən-ˈde-mər, -ˈdem-ˌnȯr\ noun

Learn More about condemn

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Examples of condemn in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of condemn

condemn Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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CONDEMN Defined for English Language Learners

condemn

Definition of condemn for English Language Learners

CONDEMN Defined for Kids

condemn

Definition of condemn for Students

Law Dictionary

condemn

legal Definition of condemn

condemnable

condemnation

condemner

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