condemnation

American  

[kon-dem-nay-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.

---

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

Hours after Pillay was named the laureate, the United States announced new sanctions against the ICC, provoking swift condemnation from member states and the United Nations.

From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2026

Their deaths sparked an outpouring of grief and condemnation in Australia and the United States.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

It prompted a swift condemnation from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who called it "greatly disappointing" and said the transfer was a "highly sensitive issue" impacting national security.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

The comments drew swift condemnation from California leaders, even as the White House communications director, Steven Cheung, insisted the president’s remarks had been taken out of context.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

That led to my involvement in the Hillpark Gym Graffiti Incident and my senior year condemnation at East Shoal.

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia

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 expiring treaty drew warnings and condemnations from U.S. and Russian lawmakers.

From Salon ● Feb. 5, 2026

In their condemnations, many of these countries have referred to Somalia's "territorial integrity" and the breaching of international principles.

From BBC ● Dec. 29, 2025

This innate rationalism appeared to bring theology under the sway of philosophy, and led to frequent condemnations of his doctrines as heretical.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 10 "Echinoderma" to "Edward" by Various

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• accusation
• censure
• denunciation
• disapproval
• judgment

---