condemnation
Americannoun
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the act of condemning.
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the state of being condemned.
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strong censure; disapprobation; reproof.
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a cause or reason for condemning.
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U.S. Law. the seizure, as of property, for public use.
Other Word Forms
- noncondemnation noun
- recondemnation noun
- self-condemnation noun
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.
Vocabulary lists containing condemnation
Fahrenheit 451
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The Crucible
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"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But it has walked a fine line over six weeks of war in the region, describing open waters in the strait as of global interest, while avoiding any condemnation of Iran’s assertion of control.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026
But we live in a world where instant condemnation is taught and incentivized.
From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026
His comments immediately drew condemnation from many quarters.
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026
While so-called "Jewish terrorism" has drawn widespread condemnation both in Israel and abroad, little has been done to curb it.
From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026
Determined not to let Chapter Eleven’s condemnation of tourism ruin our travel plans, Milton was making airplane reservations and haggling with car rental agencies.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
