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censure

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verb

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of censure
Noun
Stupar declined to comment on the censure, referring any questions to Lynch, who is president of the board. Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025 Libby filed her lawsuit against Fecteau to have the censure overturned on March 11. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025
Verb
Iran, meanwhile, will likely face censure this week from the Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency over longstanding questions about its program. Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025 He was formally censured by the Senate in December 1954 for abusing his committee powers, effectively ending his political influence. Emily Blackwood, People.com, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for censure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for censure
Noun
  • But his condemnation of intervention in Iran was at odds with the Trump administration whose role in the conflict has splintered the MAGA coalition, a wing of which opposes American involvement in foreign wars.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested two women on Tuesday outside a West L.A. courthouse after a hearing in a local criminal case, marking the first instance in recent weeks of the Trump administration using a tactic that has drawn condemnation from the legal community.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • That brief timeline likely means that Combs — who has been reprimanded by Judge Arun Subramanian for nodding at jurors while his defense attorneys cross-examine government witnesses — will not take the stand.
    Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR, 24 June 2025
  • But Pitt later said in an interview with GQ in 2024 that Alcoholics Anonymous reprimanded him for talking about his experience with the group publicly.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • At a time when establishing clarity of first principles has never been more urgent, UF’s law school practically dared anyone to criticize the award for whitewashing the Constitution.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
  • Environmental groups lobbied for the 8.3% increase versus something higher, but also criticized the water authority for not solving its problems sooner.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Administration officials have sharply condemned the leak, and signaled that access to classified systems would be restricted.
    Nik Popli, Time, 26 June 2025
  • China and North Korea strongly condemned the U.S. attack on Iran.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The lawsuit alleges the Tesla’s design was to blame for the car swerving out of its lane and not braking correctly, according to Reuters.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 24 June 2025
  • Partly to blame is high inflation, claimed Bankrate, which has increased by about 24% since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.
    Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • In her dissent, Sotomayor faulted the court for turning a blind eye to injustice.
    David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2025
  • Pacific Gas & Electric has been faulted for multiple fires in recent years, including the Zogg Fire in 2020 that killed four, the Dixie Fire in 2021 that cost $637.4 million to put out and the devastating Camp Fire in 2018 that killed 85.
    Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Road America punishes hesitation and rewards nerve, making every session breathtaking.
    Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • The Administration’s political calculus seems aimed at punishing and intimidating Democrats who challenge the President’s agenda.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Censure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/censure. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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