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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
The censure vote made for a stunning scene on the House floor. Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 6 Mar. 2025 Similarly, in the legal profession, lawyers who violate state bar codes of conduct are subject to discipline, such as censure, suspension, or loss of license to practice law. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
Cornyn was later booed at the Texas GOP convention that year and the Collin County GOP voted to censure him. Julia Manchester, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025 The hearing was ultimately scheduled for May 13 by a unanimous vote, including a provision that the council consider censuring Barber at the hearing. Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for censure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for censure
Noun
  • Trump had longtime Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden dismissed via email late on May 8, drawing broad condemnation from her supporters in Congress.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • The move drew swift condemnation from NATO leaders, who viewed it as a concession to Russian aggression.
    Martha McHardy Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • The Doctor, who has clearly been keeping tabs on Earth, brings Conrad into the TARDIS to reprimand him for betraying Ruby and using people’s fears and insecurity for his own gain.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 3 May 2025
  • The vote to reprimand Vaughn was 6-1, with Vaughn in opposition.
    Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The late pope criticized both laissez-faire capitalism and state-centric socialism, giving shape to a distinctly Catholic vein of economic teaching.
    Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
  • Several Democratic members of Congress criticized her firing.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • The decision was immediately condemned by transgender rights activists contacted by Reuters.
    Phil Stewart, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • Long been derided as tacky, commercial non-art, sitcoms with background laughter over the years have been condemned as a dystopian form of joke mind control.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • An Ohio man accused of fatally shooting his 15-year-old daughter — then trying to blame his stepson with autism — pleaded guilty on Tuesday, April 29.
    Christine Pelisek, People.com, 2 May 2025
  • The agent allegedly blamed Morgan for not saying something during the flight.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • And now, the family is suing the producers and distributors of the documentary, including Disney and National Geographic, faulting them for the slaying.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2025
  • In the 1935 ruling, the court upheld for-cause removal protections for Federal Trade Commission members, faulting Roosevelt's firing of a commissioner for policy differences.
    John Kruzel, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The national opioid settlements punished pharmaceutical manufacturers and some pharmacies for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic, which began with prescription painkillers and ultimately morphed into fentanyl.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • But the rise of A.I. content makes this taboo harder to enforce: there is no easy way to separate a satirical A.I. rendition from a sympathetic one, and no way, in any case, to punish a nonexistent singer for singing an offensive phrase.
    Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Censure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/censure. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

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