CONDEMNATORY Synonyms: 166 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: How do 'denounce' and 'condemn' relate to one another?

Denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration. // a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

Q: 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

Q: 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

condemn

verb

kən-ˈdem

Definition of condemn next

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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

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as in to convict

to find or pronounce guilty the accused was condemned by the news media even before the trial began

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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

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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 draft resolution, obtained by The Associated Press, condemns Iran’s attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Jordan. —

Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026 Heated Rivalry stars Hudson Williams and François Arnaud condemned people who spread hate online in a matching Notes app screenshot shared to their Instagram Stories on March 9. —

Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026 New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani – who is openly anti-Israel and accused of being antisemitic – this week passed on a chance to fully condemn the terrorists who tossed explosive devices at an anti-Muslim protest near the mayor’s mansion. —

Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2026 That itself might be enough to condemn them to the Championship, but failure to act swiftly now could leave them without so much as a fighting chance. —

Oliver Kay, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for condemn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for condemn

Verb

The general public, women’s rights groups and public figures including ministers Anielle Franco and Sonia Guajajara took to social media to denounce the incident.

— Eléonore Hughes, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
The chat, which was denounced by the state GOP, involved students and several top conservative leaders at Florida International University, according to the Miami Herald, which viewed and independently verified the conversations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026