condemn

[kuhn-dem]

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of condemn¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of condemn¹

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

Synonym Study

See blame.

Example Sentences

“We abhor and condemn antisemitism in any form,” the California Teachers Assn., wrote in a July letter to the state Senate Education Committee.

From Los Angeles Times

It said it utterly condemned the threats against Ms Begley which caused her family to flee.

From BBC

His family issued a post to condemn his "heinous act", adding that their "hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families".

From BBC

Protesters have condemned the rioting and looting that have happened in certain areas and have organised clean-up groups.

From BBC

“It was disrespectful, inappropriate, and not representative of who we are as the PGA of America or as PGA of America golf professionals. We condemn that behavior unequivocally.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• castigate 
• censure 
• chide 
• criticize 
• decry 
• denounce 
• punish 
• sentence