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Synonyms

condemn

American  
[kuhn-dem] / kənˈdɛm /

verb (used with object)

  1. to express an unfavorable or adverse judgment on; indicate strong disapproval of; censure.

  2. to pronounce to be guilty; sentence to punishment.

    to condemn a murderer to life imprisonment.

    Antonyms:
    liberate , exculpate , exonerate
  3. to give grounds or reason for convicting or censuring.

    His acts condemn him.

  4. to judge or pronounce to be unfit for use or service.

    to condemn an old building.

  5. U.S. Law.  to acquire ownership of for a public purpose, under the right of eminent domain.

    The city condemned the property.

  6. to force into a specific state or activity.

    His lack of education condemned him to a life of menial jobs.

  7. to doom to eternal punishment in hell.

  8. to declare incurable.


condemn British  
/ kənˈdɛm, kənˈdɛməbəl /

verb

  1. to express strong disapproval of; censure

  2. to pronounce judicial sentence on

  3. to demonstrate the guilt of

    his secretive behaviour condemned him

  4. to judge or pronounce unfit for use

    that food has been condemned

  5. to compel or force into a particular state or activity

    his disposition condemned him to boredom

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See blame.

Other Word Forms

  • condemnable adjective
  • condemnably adverb
  • condemnation noun
  • condemner noun
  • condemningly adverb
  • condemnor noun
  • recondemn verb (used with object)
  • self-condemning adjective
  • uncondemnable adjective
  • uncondemning adjective
  • uncondemningly adverb

Etymology

Origin of condemn

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English condempnen, from Anglo-French, Old French condem(p)ner, from Latin condemnāre; con-, damn

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He would also condemn McLaren to one of the biggest chokes in the history of the sport.

From The Wall Street Journal

On Sunday, Venezuela's National Assembly condemned the boat strikes and vowed to carry out a "rigorous and thorough investigation" into the accusations of a second attack that allegedly killed two survivors.

From BBC

The 20-year-old broke the deadlock after 21 minutes and struck again eight minutes later to condemn the former Confederation Cup runners-up to a second loss within eight days.

From Barron's

By her own admission, Ms. Ypi receives a good deal of hate mail from her compatriots, who regard her failure to condemn communism tout court as a form of moral betrayal.

From The Wall Street Journal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the table, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this term.

From BBC