Synonyms of censure

censure 1 of 2

noun

ˈsen(t)-shər 

as in condemnation

an often public or formal expression of disapproval

a rare censure of a senator by the full United States Senate for misconduct

Synonyms & Similar Words

• condemnation
• reprimand
• rebuke
• criticism
• denunciation
• reproach
• reproof
• excoriation
• punishment
• stricture
• riot act
• lecture
• commination
• castigation
• admonishment
• chastisement
• remonstrance
• objurgation
• damnation
• admonition
• lesson
• scolding
• talking-to
• disparagement
• lash
• tongue-lashing
• depreciation
• dressing-down
• rap
• pan
• deprecation
• belittlement
• devil
• business

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• endorsement
• commendation
• citation
• honor
• tribute
• praise
• acclamation
• approval
• sanction
• encomium
• panegyric
• eulogy
• blessing
• plaudit(s)

censure

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to reprimand

to express public or formal disapproval of

a vote to censure the President for conduct that was unbecoming to the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reprimand
• condemn
• denounce
• punish
• criticize
• scold
• reproach
• rebuke
• reprove
• admonish
• call to account
• objurgate
• chastise
• bring to account
• upbraid
• rag
• rail (at or against)
• jaw
• castigate
• berate
• cut up
• lecture
• disparage
• belittle
• flay
• deprecate
• tell off
• chew out
• rate
• bawl out
• keelhaul
• depreciate
• dress down
• score
• gibbet
• lambaste

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• commend
• endorse
• cite
• honor
• applaud
• approve
• praise
• hail
• sanction
• acclaim
• bless
• laud
• eulogize

2

as in to denounce

to declare to be morally wrong or evil

our society generally censures the taking of another person's life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• denounce
• condemn
• criticize
• blame
• attack
• decry
• reprehend
• anathematize
• execrate
• damn
• sentence
• fault
• reprobate
• convict
• disparage
• belittle
• excommunicate
• reprimand
• ostracize
• dispraise
• pan
• deprecate
• hate
• reproach
• scold
• admonish
• rebuke
• knock
• doom
• chastise
• chide
• upbraid
• slam
• reprove
• berate
• castigate
• revile
• blast
• rake
• blacklist
• detest
• loathe
• dis
• abhor
• vituperate
• curse
• imprecate
• abominate
• lambaste

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• sanction
• endorse
• bless
• praise
• commend
• applaud
• exalt
• salute
• extol
• glorify
• honor
• hail
• laud
• tout
• consecrate
• sanctify
• acclaim
• eulogize
• revere
• venerate
• hallow

3

as in to criticize

to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of

critics have striven to outdo each other in censuring that pop novelist's latest work

Synonyms & Similar Words

• criticize
• blame
• condemn
• fault
• denounce
• knock
• attack
• find fault (with)
• deplore
• slam
• tweak
• dispraise
• pan
• reprehend
• slag
• complain
• kick
• lash
• dis
• slash
• come down hard (on)
• admonish
• reprimand
• take to task
• blast
• murmur
• assail
• reproach
• scold
• rebuke
• chide
• whine
• upbraid
• mutter
• moan
• grumble
• cavil
• bitch
• nick (at)
• reprove
• clobber
• beef
• skewer
• snipe (at)
• berate
• excoriate
• disparage
• crucify
• grouse
• quibble
• growl
• belittle
• deride
• gripe
• castigate
• decry
• flay
• bellyache
• crab
• carp
• kvetch
• pillory
• fuss
• niggle
• keelhaul
• bad-mouth
• hammer
• croak
• gibbet
• lambaste
• drub
• discommend
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praise
• approve
• recommend
• sanction
• commend
• endorse
• extol
• laud

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb censure differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of censure are condemn, criticize, denounce, reprehend, and reprobate. While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

When would condemn be a good substitute for censure?

The synonyms condemn and censure are sometimes interchangeable, but condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

When could criticize be used to replace censure?

The words criticize and censure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions.

criticized the police for using violence

How do denounce and condemn relate to one another, in the sense of censure?

Denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

When can reprehend be used instead of censure?

In some situations, the words reprehend and censure are roughly equivalent. However, reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

Where would reprobate be a reasonable alternative to censure?

The meanings of reprobate and censure largely overlap; however, reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.

reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of censure

Noun

Kelly keeps his official letter of censure from Hegseth taped to the door of his Senate office. — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

Establish that violations of the policy may be addressed publicly by the board and may result in board censure. — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026

Verb

The Haslet City Council censured the mayor for his behavior for the second time Monday. — Rachel Royster july 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026

The South Dakota Republican Party on Friday voted down a measure to censure Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) after the Senate failed to advance the SAVE America Act. — Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 26 June 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!