censure

[ sen-sher ]

noun

1. strong or vehement expression of disapproval:

   The newspapers were unanimous in their censure of the tax proposal.

   Synonyms: animadversion, stricture, reprimand, rebuke, reprehension, reproach, reproof, condemnation

   Antonyms: praise

2. an official reprimand, as by a legislative body of one of its members.

   Antonyms: praise

verb (used with object)

, cen·sured, cen·sur·ing.

1. to criticize or reproach in a harsh or vehement manner:

   She is more to be pitied than censured.

   Synonyms: chide, rebuke, reprove

   Antonyms: praise

verb (used without object)

, cen·sured, cen·sur·ing.

1. to give censure, adverse criticism, disapproval, or blame.

censure

/ ˈsɛnʃə /

noun

1. severe disapproval; harsh criticism

verb

1. to criticize (someone or something) severely; condemn

Derived Forms

• ˈcensurer, noun

Other Words From

• censur·er noun
• censure·less adjective
• mis·censure verb miscensured miscensuring
• pre·censure verb (used with object) precensured precensuring
• pro·censure adjective
• super·censure noun
• un·censured adjective
• un·censur·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of censure¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin cēnsūra censor's office, assessment, equivalent to cēns ( us ) past participle of cēnsēre ( censor ) + -ūra -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of censure¹

C14: from Latin cēnsūra, from cēnsēre to consider, assess

Synonym Study

See abuse. See blame, reprimand.

Example Sentences

Parler has been operating without censure from the app stores for months, and got a boost in popularity around the November election.

From Washington Post

To get a maximum number of law deans to sign on, the language was made broad and intentionally did not name anybody or call for any kind of censure, they said.

From Washington Post

Few politicians are willing to test the limits and risk their career ending in impeachment, censure, or even arrest.

From Vox

Expulsion or at least censure and loss of committee seats is necessary to underscore the depth of their offense.

From Washington Post

During the tight lockdowns in some parts of Europe, dog owners have been especially privileged — giving them a pass to leave their homes without fear of governmental censure.

From Washington Post

Meanwhile, the Anti-Defamation League issued a statement deploring the state GOP for its failure to censure Duke.

From The Daily Beast

American universities have come under censure for failing to adequately protect students from sexual and physical assault.

From The Daily Beast

Thompson escaped the ire of Times reporters and avoided official censure during a subsequent BBC investigation.

From The Daily Beast

The article states that the agency could have voted sanctions against Maco ranging from censure to disbarment.

From The Daily Beast

Still, Bergé insisted that he did not get overly involved or censure the film in any way.

From The Daily Beast

As such it is now presented to the public for whatever meed of praise or censure it is found to deserve.

From Project Gutenberg

I issued a censure, and ordered that no one should agree to their conclusions, and that the Dominicans should not hold them.

From Project Gutenberg

I cannot too severely censure the habit of using sentences which admit of a double meaning.

From Project Gutenberg

It may, perhaps, be one of the unfortunate works which have already fallen under his censure.

From Project Gutenberg

I therefore do not censure those who desire to see their daughters happily and suitably established in life.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• condemnation
• rebuke
• reprimand

More About Censure

What does censure mean?

Censure is passionate or intense criticism, as in Many countries were united in their censure of the nation responsible for the nuclear disaster. 

Censure can also refer to an official condemnation or reprimand, especially by a legislative body to one of its members, as in The lawyer’s terrible conduct earned him a censure from the judge. 

As a verb, censure means to intensely and harshly criticize something, as in The governor was censured by the media for his incredibly poor handling of the state’s hurricane response.   

Censure could be confused with the similarly spelled words censer, censor, and sensor. A censer is a container that holds burning incense. A censor is a person who looks for unacceptable or immoral material in media or creative works. A sensor is a device that sends a signal in reaction to environmental conditions.

Example: The musician faced intense censure from other artists after stealing melodies and their career never recovered from the backlash.

Where does censure come from?

The first records of censure come from around 1350. It ultimately comes from the Latin cēnsēre, meaning “to consider” or  “to assess.” In the case of censure, a person has considered the actions of someone else and has come to an incredibly negative assessment of them.

Censure is a synonym of such words as criticize, scold, rebuff, and chastise. However, censure is often specifically used to mean that the criticism is incredibly severe and negative. The word censure often implies that a person being censured is going to literally or figuratively suffer horribly because of whatever terrible or reprehensible thing they did.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to censure?

• censurer (noun)
• censureless (adjective)
• miscensure (verb)
• precensure (verb)

What are some synonyms for censure?

• condemnation
• rebuke
• reprimand
• admonish
• berate
• reproach

What are some words that share a root or word element with censure? 

• censor
• seizure
• puncture

What are some words that often get used in discussing censure?

• criticism
• backlash
• anger
• motion

What are some words censure may be commonly confused with?

• censer
• censor
• sensor

How is censure used in real life?

Censure is used to refer to especially harsh criticism or an official show of contempt by a government body.

The House will soon be voting on a historic resolution that would censure Trump "for his racist and xenophobic comments" about Reps. Omar, Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib and Pressley — all women of color. Only one US president, Andrew Jackson, was ever censured — and that happened in 1834.

— Jon Cooper 🇺🇸 (@joncoopertweets) July 16, 2019

Despite being censured by the Election Commission, controversial Samajwadi Party Leader Azam Khan remains defiant #India2014

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) April 17, 2014

Diamond firm rejecting qualified Muslim MBA's application is unpardonable. Glad that it is being censured by the media.

— shunali khullar shroff (@shunalishroff) May 22, 2015

Try using censure!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of censure?

A. scold
B. blame
C. condemn
D. praise