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)

censured, censuring 

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)

censured, censuring 

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

Other Word Forms

• censurer noun
• censureless adjective
• miscensure verb
• precensure verb (used with object)
• procensure adjective
• supercensure noun
• uncensured adjective
• uncensuring 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

FBI agents at field offices and at headquarters who resisted Gray’s power were censured, fired or transferred.

From Salon

On June 11, the board passed a resolution to formally censure Tabet and call on her to resign.

From Los Angeles Times

Martin gets filleted but the Rangers players can't escape censure here.

From BBC

After a resolution to censure Omar over statements about late conservative activist Charlie Kirk failed, the president called for her to be impeached.

From Salon

It does not necessarily guarantee that he will not be censured, or fired, if his remarks violate his employer’s rules or standards.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admonish 
• berate 
• castigate 
• chastise 
• chide 
• denounce 
• discipline 
• rebuff 
• rebuke 
• reprimand 
• reproach 
• scold 

When To Use

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.