condemnation

American  

[kon-dem-ney-shuhn, -duhm-] / ˌkɒn dɛmˈneɪ ʃən, -dəm- /

noun

• condemnations
  plural

1. the act of condemning.

2. the state of being condemned.

3. strong censure; disapprobation; reproof.

4. a cause or reason for condemning.

5. U.S. Law. the seizure, as of property, for public use.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• noncondemnation
  noun
• recondemnation
  noun
• self-condemnation
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• condemnations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of condemnation

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English condempnacioun, from Middle French, from Late Latin condemnātiōn-, stem of condemnātiō; equivalent to condemn + -ation

Explanation

Condemnation is the act of declaring something awful or evil. If your little brother does something unspeakably awful, express your condemnation so he will learn not to do it again. Condemnation comes from the verb condemn, "to strongly disapprove." You might criticize something that you still think is worthwhile, but if you express condemnation, that’s laying a heavy moral blame. Condemnation is used in law, and means the same thing as sentencing; you might have heard a judge say “I condemn you to ten years of hard labor.” Also, a very dangerous building will be sealed up and deemed uninhabitable by an act of condemnation.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

condemnation condemnations

But dumb isn’t the condemnation that remark deserved.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

"The half-million Israelis living peacefully … are most disgusted by a small group of thugs," said US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee who welcomed the Israeli leaders' condemnation.

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026

Her condemnation followed a slew of public comments from other erstwhile allies of the governor decrying his decision to return to office.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026

Louai Abu Ridi owns one of the three houses in Qusra, near Nablus, which settlers began besieging more than a week ago, trapping residents inside and effectively blocking supplies, generating condemnation around the world.

From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026

It was his determination to present this argument as decisive that led to his condemnation by the Inquisition.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Both men survived the attacks, which drew condemnations from the city's Jewish and Asian American leaders.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

Such condemnations might reduce violence, but, in any case, they are the right thing to do.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 4, 2026

But the 70-year-old pontiff has been cautious in his statements since the US-Israeli strikes on Iran that started the war on February 28, refraining from naming any party in his condemnations and appeals for peace.

From Barron's ● Mar. 30, 2026

The update from law enforcement triggered a fresh wave of social media commentary, ranging from condemnations to calls for patience and unity.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2025

The condemnations in Ezekiel are far more severe than those of Jeremiah.

From The Prophet Ezekiel An Analytical Exposition by Arno C. Gaebelein

Related Words

• accusation
• censure
• denunciation
• disapproval
• judgment