censure 1 of 2

censure

2 of 2

verb

1
2
3

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
Brown’s refusal to show New Zealand officials the text of the China deal ahead of his trip prompted censure from Wellington this month. Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2025 Kelley Black responds Kelley Black denied the claims outlined in the board’s censure. Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
Johnson said afterward that Green should be censured by the House — among the more severe reprimands his colleagues could mete out. Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025 The conservative House Freedom Caucus also said Wednesday its members would be introducing a resolution to censure Green. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for censure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for censure
Noun
  • Thailand deported more than 100 of them to China in 2015, drawing condemnation from the international community.
    Michael Sullivan, NPR, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The posts quickly drew condemnation from many users on Truth Social and Instagram, even from people who identified themselves as Republicans.
    Ben Goggin, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Trump and Vance reprimanded Zelensky, accusing him of lacking gratitude for U.S. aid.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Police had stern words for one teenager caught surfing and four others were also reprimanded for putting themselves and others in danger.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Hackman was praised for his acting but the movie was fiercely criticized for appearing to whitewash history and marginalize Black characters.
    Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • New York Mayor Eric Adams was facing a criminal corruption case until it was suspended in February by President Trump's Justice Department, while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was criticized over her handling of the wildfires which struck the city in January.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • House Majority Leader Matt Moonen condemned Libby in a statement on the House floor.
    Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The creation of the Florida DOGE task force was condemned by Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Democratic establishment’s focus on blaming Trump for those price spikes represents a stark break from its activists, who have launched a protest movement arguing that Trump is a budding dictator with no regard for the Constitution.
    Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Recently, however, doctors have started reporting more cases of iodine-deficient hypothyroidism—and our salt preferences may be at least partially to blame.
    Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Hours earlier, the head of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association officers’ union, Steadman Stahl, faulted Hill for winding up on the ground while being handcuffed.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
  • City audit led to changeover As for animal control, KC Pet Project sought that contract after a 2017 city audit had faulted the city-run animal control unit for being overly focused on issuing tickets to pet owners.
    Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • When failure is punished, people stop trying for fear of punishment, and progress slows to a crawl.
    Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Trump’s punishing tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China are supposed to begin tomorrow, which will raise prices even higher, bringing more pocketbook pain.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Censure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/censure. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on censure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!