condemn

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as in to sentence
to impose a judicial punishment on a stern judge who does not hesitate to condemn a felon to life behind bars

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb condemn differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of condemn are censure, criticize, denounce, reprehend, and reprobate. While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

In what contexts can censure take the place of condemn?

The synonyms censure and condemn are sometimes interchangeable, but censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

Where would criticize be a reasonable alternative to condemn?

The words criticize and condemn 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?

Denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

When could reprehend be used to replace condemn?

While in some cases nearly identical to condemn, reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

When is it sensible to use reprobate instead of condemn?

The meanings of reprobate and condemn 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 condemn The festival, taking place in Riyadh from September 26 to October 9, has been widely condemned as an attempt to whitewash the Saudi regime, which heavily criminalizes LGBTQ+ people and has ordered the killing of journalists like Jamal Khashoggi. Samantha Riedel, Them., 6 Oct. 2025 Barely 12 hours after announcing a cabinet that largely retained the same ministers, Lecornu faced backlash across the political spectrum, condemned by the both the left and the right, which had made significant gains in the last election. Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025 Over the centuries she’s been branded a traitor, condemned as a nymphomaniac, diagnosed as a sociopath and — more recently — defended as a victim of circumstances. Phillipa Gregory, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025 Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the incident, calling it a stark reminder of the daily risks officers face. Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for condemn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condemn
Verb
  • The age of the Ayatollahs After the fall of the Shah in January 1979, the nascent Islamic Republic denounced his aggressive modernization drive inspired by the West.
    Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
  • In a previous statement to Fox News Digital, UNC denounced political violence and vowed to investigate Dixon’s involvement in the organization.
    Julia Bonavita , Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Some council members have criticized the proposal, citing a lack of communication and calling the move premature.
    Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • So far, the league’s response has been not to fix the issue but, instead, to levy fines against players and coaches who criticize refs.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • On September 18, the House narrowly rejected the resolution to censure Omar over her remarks and social media posts following the assassination of Kirk.
    Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Doctors, lawyers and first responders have been fired, suspended, censured or investigated.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • If he had been convicted on the racketeering charge, Combs could have been given life in prison.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • If convicted, the defendants face from 10 years to life in prison.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The defense tab, revealed last week when Javice was sentenced to seven years in prison, is roughly two-thirds of the $175 million the bank paid for Javice’s student-finance company, Frank.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Susie Jensen, the presiding judge, upheld the plea agreement and sentenced Law to the maximum punishment of 15 years behind bars, without the opportunity for parole.
    Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Some of their struggles can be blamed on a tough slate of defenses.
    Michael Salfino, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Real leadership requires a basic understanding of facts and a desire to do more than just blame others.
    Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As the government shutdown began, polls showed voters were divided on who to blame, with many faulting both parties.
    Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
  • As the winds intensified, power lines across the city started to fault.
    Chiara Eisner, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Freeport-McMoRan — The copper and gold miner gained more than 1% after UBS upgraded Freeport to buy from neutral, saying it has been overly punished after declaring force majeure at its Grasberg mine in Indonesia following a deadly collapse.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
  • That bill also included a provision that would punish states that provide health coverage to undocumented immigrants.
    Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Condemn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condemn. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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