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.
The immigration roundups and deaths of Mexican migrants have prompted condemnation, notes of protests and calls for investigation from the Sheinbaum administration.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026
But we live in a world where instant condemnation is taught and incentivized.
From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026
The pope will personally carry the cross through all 14 stations retracing Christ's journey, from his condemnation to his crucifixion and to his burial, according to Vatican sources.
From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026
The decision was met with strong condemnation from environmental groups who said it will likely drive the Rice's Whale to extinction.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 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
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.
