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condemnatory

American  
[kuhn-dem-nuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / kənˈdɛm nəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

  1. serving to condemn.

condemnatory British  
/ ˌkɒndɛmˈneɪtərɪ, -trɪ, kənˈdɛmnətərɪ /

adjective

  1. expressing strong disapproval or censure

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • self-condemnatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of condemnatory

First recorded in 1555–65; condemnat(ion) + -ory 1

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.

Newspaper columnists condemned Wodehouse as a “Quisling,” libraries took his books off their shelves, there were condemnatory speeches in Parliament.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2025

More condemnatory letters, with many signatures, were issued.

From Slate • May 14, 2024

It has stopped vetoing condemnatory resolutions at the United Nations.

From BBC • May 8, 2024

Gross does, sharing a story summed up in vaguely admiring terms that are also condemnatory.

From Salon • Jan. 29, 2024

I have not yet said anything condemnatory of Mr. Rochester’s project of marrying for interest and connections.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

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.