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 Illinois’ Democratic senators and congressional representatives spoke out in a joint news conference last Monday to condemn Donald Trump’s reckless and chaotic use of executive orders to govern our nation. Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025 The United States also angered its European allies by voting against a resolution at the U.N. General Assembly that condemned Russian aggression and called for the withdrawal of invading Russian troops from Ukraine. Kim Barker, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025 France’s referees union today condemned accusations of corruption made by Marseille president Pablo Longoria during an extraordinary outburst on Saturday. Tom Burrows, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025 Union leaders representing federal workers have condemned the Trump administration's order for agencies to lay off almost all probationary employees. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for condemn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condemn
Verb
  • Some party leaders have been criticized for using Nazi slogans and downplaying the Holocaust.
    Obed Manuel, NPR, 27 Feb. 2025
  • While Chiuri has been criticized by some for playing it safe with commercial collections that helped to turbocharge Dior’s growth, Prigent gradually understood her messaging is anything but conservative.
    Joelle Diderich, WWD, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Natalie Cochran was recently convicted of first-degree murder for killing her husband in 2019 and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
    Steve Weisman, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Douglas County jurors convicted Tory Conyers, 46, of vehicular homicide, hit-and-run causing death, eluding a peace officer, theft and reckless driving.
    Max Levy, The Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • He will be sentenced at Luton Court on Wednesday, March 5.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Shamar Duncan, a 22-year-old Indiana man, was sentenced to 105 years in prison for the 2022 fatal shooting of a Dutch soldier and wounding of two others in downtown Indianapolis.
    Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 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
  • On Thursday morning, his colleagues returned to the chamber to censure Green by a vote of 224-198-2.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Ten Democrats joined all their Republican colleagues to censure Green.
    Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The report equally faulted the yearslong development of the booster rocket under Dr. Lucas’s leadership.
    Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Almost immediately after the crash, President Trump publicly faulted the helicopter for flying too high.
    Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 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
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

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Cite this Entry

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

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