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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
His trial committee — the five volunteer writers tasked with adjudicating rule violations — recommended a lesser, confidential censure along with some equity and inclusion training. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 8 May 2025 Later that month, Ramirez-Rosa avoided a historic censure thanks to Johnson’s tie-breaker vote, but not before the episode cast open bitter divisions within the body along racial lines. Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025
Verb
The resolution passed by a whopping vote of 115-16, despite previously voting 75-70 to censure Libby months earlier. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2025 The board has had previous conflicts with Kelley Black, and in January voted to censure her for unprofessional and damaging actions, citing her disclosure of private student information, spread of false information and release of collective bargaining information. Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for censure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for censure
Noun
  • The shooting drew condemnation for what some deemed an extreme amount of force.
    Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The school, which is not affiliated with Lincoln County Schools, prompted community outrage and public condemnation from school leaders.
    Evan Moore August 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • If the committee finds the charges to be malicious, the accusers may also be reprimanded, suspended, removed from office or expelled.
    Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • In October, Redstone publicly criticized McMahon's decision to reprimand CBS News morning anchor Tony Dokoupil over an interview with author Ta-Nehisi Coates.
    Alex Sherman, CNBC, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Some social media users have criticized the department’s reverence for the 1940s, noting the period predated the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which outlawed segregation, as well as other landmark legislation and Supreme Court decisions that were key to the civil rights era.
    Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Trump amps up his attacks on CEOs and other executives Trump has long used social media and his other public statements to cajole, criticize and praise companies and individual CEOs.
    Maria Aspan, NPR, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Both Israel and the US have condemned moves to recognize a Palestinian state.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Attorney Lauren Cerri of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, representing the plaintiff, condemned school administration for ignoring prior complaints made by yard duty supervisors years earlier that Wilson was spending time in his classroom alone with female students during lunch recesses.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Some residents blamed the city, which has owned these buildings for years, for allowing the structures to get run-down.
    Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 9 Aug. 2025
  • At one point, her crankiness about being underappreciated for her domestic efforts is blamed, without irony, on her period.
    Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Schiavo also faulted the FAA for not coming off as terribly responsive to problems.
    Josh Funk, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2025
  • The White House has faulted India for high tariffs that Trump views as an effort to shut out U.S. producers.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • Driven by spikes in incidents, especially since the pandemic, lawmakers are now playing catch up and introducing specific laws for abuse of workers to punish offenders.
    Jo Causon, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • In response, Mexico has passed legislation punishing unauthorized use of Indigenous cultural expressions with hefty fines and prison sentences.
    Isa Cardona, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Censure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/censure. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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