condemnation

American  

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

noun

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

• 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.

Example Sentences

The incident in the village of Debel in southern Lebanon prompted widespread condemnation after an image of it was widely shared online this week.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

But we live in a world where instant condemnation is taught and incentivized.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

The action drew condemnation from the leaders of Italy and France, with both saying it violated the religious right to worship.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

Meanwhile, outside the congregation, the onslaught of condemnation continued.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

He survived a guilty verdict, death row, and the wrongful condemnation of an entire state.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Related Words

• accusation
• censure
• denunciation
• disapproval
• judgment