condemn
verb
con·demn kən-ˈdem 
condemned; condemning; condemns
transitive verb
1
: to declare to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil usually after weighing evidence and without reservation
a policy widely condemned as racist
2
a
: to pronounce guilty : convict
b
: sentence, doom
condemn a prisoner to die
3
: to adjudge unfit for use or consumption
condemn an old apartment building
4
: to declare convertible to public use under the right of eminent domain
condemnable
kən-ˈdem-nə-bəl
adjective -ˈde-mə-
condemnatory
kən-ˈdem-nə-ˌtȯr-ē
adjective -ˈde-mə-
condemner
kən-ˈde-mər
noun or condemnor
kən-ˈde-mər
kən-ˌdem-ˈnȯr,
ˌkän-
Synonyms
- anathematize
- censure
- damn
- decry
- denounce
- execrate
- reprehend
- reprobate
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
We strongly condemn this attack against our allies. The government condemns all acts of terrorism. The country condemns the use of violence on prisoners. The school condemns cheating, and any student caught cheating will be expelled. City officials condemned our apartment building and forced us to leave.
Recent Examples on the Web The titular character, Paul, an evocation of Gauguin, is so obviously reprehensible that we are forced to condemn him—and thus Gauguin himself, by extension. 
Ella Fox-martens, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2022 In the interview Wednesday, Khan went to lengths not to directly condemn the military, which has long served as the true power broker in Pakistani politics. BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2022 Mayor Doug Hutchens asked for the council's support to condemn and raze the building. Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 4 Aug. 2022 The Ukrainian president said that as a guarantor of their humane treatment in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, the ICRC should speak out to condemn Russia’s alleged actions. Matthew Luxmoore, WSJ, 30 July 2022 Moscow’s influence in Africa was on display in March during the U.N. vote to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Andrew Meldrum And Mogomotsi Magome, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 July 2022 Many had sought to avoid taking a side on the war in Ukraine,, with 25 of Africa’s 54 states abstaining from a vote to condemn Russia’s invasion of its neighbor during the U.N. General Assembly in March. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 28 July 2022 Differing perspectives on global health, economic policy, and human rights have long tested the relationship — with China’s refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine adding further strain. BostonGlobe.com, 28 July 2022 So far, China has refused to condemn Russia for invading Ukraine and backed Moscow’s complaints about NATO expansion. Madhumita Murgia, Ars Technica, 15 July 2022 See More
Ella Fox-martens, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2022 In the interview Wednesday, Khan went to lengths not to directly condemn the military, which has long served as the true power broker in Pakistani politics. BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2022 Mayor Doug Hutchens asked for the council's support to condemn and raze the building. Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 4 Aug. 2022 The Ukrainian president said that as a guarantor of their humane treatment in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, the ICRC should speak out to condemn Russia’s alleged actions. Matthew Luxmoore, WSJ, 30 July 2022 Moscow’s influence in Africa was on display in March during the U.N. vote to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Andrew Meldrum And Mogomotsi Magome, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 July 2022 Many had sought to avoid taking a side on the war in Ukraine,, with 25 of Africa’s 54 states abstaining from a vote to condemn Russia’s invasion of its neighbor during the U.N. General Assembly in March. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 28 July 2022 Differing perspectives on global health, economic policy, and human rights have long tested the relationship — with China’s refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine adding further strain. BostonGlobe.com, 28 July 2022 So far, China has refused to condemn Russia for invading Ukraine and backed Moscow’s complaints about NATO expansion. Madhumita Murgia, Ars Technica, 15 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French condempner, from Latin condemnare, from com- + damnare to condemn — more at damn
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing condemn
Kids Definition
condemn
verb
con·demn kən-ˈdem
condemned; condemning
1
: to cause to suffer or live in difficult or unpleasant conditions
She was condemned to spend her summer in a cast.
2
: to sentence to a usually severe punishment
The criminals were condemned and punished.
3
: to declare to be wrong
School policy condemns cheating.
4
: to declare to be unfit for use
condemn a house
Legal Definition
condemn
transitive verb
con·demn kən-ˈdem
1
: to impose a penalty on
especially : to sentence to death
2
: to adjudge unfit for use or consumption
3
: to declare convertible to public use under the right of eminent domain : take
condemn
verb
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
Relevance
- denounce
- criticize
- blame
- decry
- attack
- anathematize
- censure
- reprehend
- execrate
- reprobate
- disparage
- fault
- damn
- sentence
- convict
- dispraise
- hate
- belittle
- ostracize
- excommunicate
- chastise
- admonish
- deprecate
- pan
- scold
- chide
- berate
- upbraid
- diss
- doom
- rebuke
- slam
- abhor
- castigate
- knock
- vituperate
- revile
- detest
- loathe
- blacklist
- reprimand
- lambast
- blast
- imprecate
- lambaste
- reproach
- reprove
- abominate
- dis
- rake
- curse
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- approve
- endorse
- bless
- sanction
- indorse
- commend
- praise
- applaud
- glorify
- laud
- exalt
- extol
- salute
- eulogize
- sanctify
- honor
- consecrate
- tout
- hail
- extoll
- 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
- censure
- scold
- dispraise
- slam
- reprehend
- pan
- slag
- complain
- diss
- slash
- tweak
- lash
- admonish
- kick
- dis
- blast
- find fault (with)
- take to task
- assail
- come down hard (on)
- mutter
- chide
- crucify
- decry
- murmur
- berate
- excoriate
- upbraid
- clobber
- rebuke
- whine
- grumble
- deride
- beef
- disparage
- moan
- cavil
- bitch
- reprimand
- skewer
- castigate
- grouse
- growl
- bellyache
- belittle
- pillory
- reprove
- lambast
- reproach
- lambaste
- gripe
- quibble
- flay
- carp
- crab
- drub
- kvetch
- gibbet
- bad-mouth
- keelhaul
- niggle
- snipe (at)
- hammer
- nick (at)
- croak
- discommend
- fuss
- put down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- approve
- laud
- endorse
- praise
- extol
- commend
- recommend
- sanction
- extoll
- indorse
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
- reprimand
- punish
- criticize
- scold
- rebuke
- admonish
- reprove
- reproach
- chastise
- objurgate
- call to account
- bring to account
- berate
- upbraid
- castigate
- disparage
- lambast
- belittle
- tell off
- keelhaul
- bawl out
- rag
- lambaste
- dress down
- cut up
- flay
- deprecate
- lecture
- chew out
- gibbet
- jaw
- depreciate
- rate
- rail (at or against)
- score
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- endorse
- commend
- cite
- indorse
- applaud
- honor
- 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
- rebuke
- censure
- admonish
- arraign
- charge
- penalize
- reprimand
- chastise
- reproach
- damn
- castigate
- reprove
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- vindicate
- endorse
- acquit
- commend
- approve
- absolve
- exonerate
- cite
- clear
- exculpate
- indorse
- sanction
- bless
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
- judge
- chastise
- penalize
- adjudge
- censure
- discipline
- decree
- find
- correct
- castigate
- rule
- opine
- resolve
- chasten
- decide
- determine
- conclude
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- pardon
- reprieve
Synonym Chooser
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
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
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
Denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.
a pastoral letter denouncing abortion
While in some cases nearly identical to condemn, reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.
reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students
The meanings of reprobate and condemn largely overlap; however, reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.
reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle