condemn

[ kuhn-dem ]

/ kənˈdɛm /

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See synonyms for: condemn / condemned / condemning / condemnable on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

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

to pronounce to be guilty; sentence to punishment: to condemn a murderer to life imprisonment.

to give grounds or reason for convicting or censuring: His acts condemn him.

to judge or pronounce to be unfit for use or service: to condemn an old building.

U.S. Law. to acquire ownership of for a public purpose, under the right of eminent domain: The city condemned the property.

to force into a specific state or activity: His lack of education condemned him to a life of menial jobs.

to doom to eternal punishment in hell.

to declare incurable.

OPPOSITES FOR condemn

2 exonerate, exculpate, liberate.

See antonyms for condemn on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of condemn

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

synonym study for condemn

1. See blame.

OTHER WORDS FROM condemn

con·dem·na·ble

[kuhn-dem-nuh-buhl], /kənˈdɛm nə bəl/, adjectivecon·dem·na·bly, adverbcon·demn·er

[kuhn-dem-er], /kənˈdɛm ər/, con·dem·nor

[kuhn-dem-er, kuhn-dem-nawr], /kənˈdɛm ər, kən dɛmˈnɔr/, nouncon·demn·ing·ly, adverb

re·con·demn, verb (used with object)self-con·demn·ing, adjectiveun·con·dem·na·ble, adjectiveun·con·demn·ing, adjectiveun·con·demn·ing·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH condemn

1. blame, censure, condemn (see synonym study at blame)2. condemn , contemn

Words nearby condemn

concussion, concussion grenade, concyclic, cond., Condé, condemn, condemnation, condemnatory, condemned, condemned cell, condensable

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use condemn in a sentence

After that report, the Lincoln Project condemned Weaver, calling him a “predator,” “liar” and “an abuser.”
Lincoln Project tweeted a co-founder’s private messages after leaders promised to probe sexual harassment claims|Andrea Salcedo|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
For every bit of man-made excess the exhibition condemns, it shows us a dozen times over that if we look close enough and deep enough, natural “excess” is everywhere.
Baltimore exhibition of outsider art celebrates nature’s ‘excess’ with a wake-up call about pollution|Kelsey Ables|February 8, 2021|Washington Post
Some of her colleagues even voted in Greene’s defense in spite of condemning her behavior in the past.
House punishes Republican lawmaker who promoted violent conspiracy theories|Taylor Hatmaker|February 5, 2021|TechCrunch
On the one hand, establishment leaders have condemned Greene.
The Marjorie Taylor Greene committee removal vote, explained|Gabby Birenbaum|February 5, 2021|Vox

He released a statement condemning Greene’s past statements, some of which she admitted were false and said she regretted in a House floor speech Thursday.
Republicans worry their big tent will mean big problems in 2022 elections|Michael Scherer, Josh Dawsey|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
The campaign included a push for the World Health Organization to condemn gay-conversion therapy.
China’s Electroshock Gay-Conversion Case|Nina Strochlic|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Dean Teresa A. Sullivan praised the “overwhelming response by this community to condemn the evil acts” reported by Rolling Stone.
Why It Was Right to Question Rolling Stone’s U-VA Rape Story|Michael Moynihan|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All religions condemn lying, but Alicia Florrick likely will not be elected if she runs as an atheist.
The Good Wife’s Religion Politics: Voters Have No Faith in Alicia's Atheism|Regina Lizik|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Is it the one where we condemn the genocide of Native Americans?
Are Politicians Too Dumb to Understand the Lyrics to ‘Born in the USA’?|Parker Molloy|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It may come as a surprise then that Scott and, particularly Sata, have refused to condemn Mugabe.
Democratic Africa Gets Its First White Leader|Nico Hines|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yet if there is a measure of untruth in such pretty flatteries, one needs to be superhuman in order to condemn them harshly.
Children's Ways|James Sully
Some affirm that he wrote to please royalty, but if so why did he not condemn the custom to appease the wrath of a sapient king.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Do not believe this; be certain that those who profess such a doctrine are practising themselves the deceit they condemn so much.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
In reference to this, as well as to any other matter inculcated upon them, their consciences will either approve or condemn them.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
We do not pretend to justify either his ignorance or his imposture; but we cannot condemn his doctrine of one only God.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)

British Dictionary definitions for condemn

condemn

/ (kənˈdɛm) /

verb (tr)

to express strong disapproval of; censure

to pronounce judicial sentence on

to demonstrate the guilt ofhis secretive behaviour condemned him

to judge or pronounce unfit for usethat food has been condemned

to compel or force into a particular state or activityhis disposition condemned him to boredom

Derived forms of condemn

condemnable (kənˈdɛməbəl), adjectivecondemnably, adverbcondemnation, nouncondemner, noun

condemningly, adverb

Word Origin for condemn

C13: from Old French condempner, from Latin condemnāre, from damnāre to condemn; see damn

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

condemn

OPPOSITES FOR condemn

Origin of condemn

synonym study for condemn

OTHER WORDS FROM condemn

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH condemn

Words nearby condemn

Words related to condemn

How to use condemn in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for condemn

Derived forms of condemn

Word Origin for condemn