Synonyms of condemn

condemn

verb

kən-ˈdem 

1

as in to denounce

to declare to be morally wrong or evil

it is a sign of human progress that slavery, which was once legal in many places, is now universally condemned

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in to criticize

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

a report that condemns the working conditions in the factories of many developing countries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

3

as in to censure

to express public or formal disapproval of

the philosopher's works were once condemned by the church and placed on its list of forbidden books

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

4

as in to convict

to find or pronounce guilty

the accused was condemned by the news media even before the trial began

Synonyms & Similar Words

• convict
• denounce
• accuse
• sentence
• indict
• punish
• impeach
• charge
• chastise
• rebuke
• admonish
• censure
• penalize
• arraign
• reproach
• reprimand
• damn
• reprove
• castigate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• vindicate
• acquit
• endorse
• clear
• absolve
• commend
• cite
• approve
• exonerate
• exculpate
• bless
• sanction

5

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

• sentence
• punish
• doom
• damn
• penalize
• adjudge
• judge
• chastise
• find
• censure
• discipline
• correct
• decree
• castigate
• rule
• resolve
• opine
• chasten
• decide
• determine
• conclude

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pardon
• reprieve

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

Recent Examples of condemn

Wilcox condemned his treatment. —Oren Peleg, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026

Vice Mayor Darian Martin, who is Black, condemned Urbom’s use of the racial epithet. —Theo Karantsalis, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026

Local officials in Minneapolis were united in defending Omar and condemning the attacker. —Philip Wang, Time, 28 Jan. 2026

What Rusbridger’s account leaves out is that the BBC has reproduced the prejudices of successive British establishments since its inception in the early twentieth century, whether by propagandizing against workers during the general strike of 1926 or by condemning the antiwar protests of 2003. —Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026