condemn

verb

con·​demn kən-ˈdem How to pronounce condemn (audio)
condemned; condemning; condemns

transitive verb

1
: to declare to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil usually after weighing evidence and without reservation
a policy widely condemned as racist
2
a
: to pronounce guilty : convict
b
: sentence, doom
condemn a prisoner to die
3
: to adjudge unfit for use or consumption
condemn an old apartment building
4
: to declare convertible to public use under the right of eminent domain
condemnable adjective
condemnatory adjective
condemner noun
or condemnor
kən-ˈde-mər How to pronounce condemn (audio)
kən-ˌdem-ˈnȯr,
ˌkän-
Choose the Right Synonym for condemn

criticize, reprehend, censure, reprobate, condemn, denounce mean to find fault with openly.

criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions.

criticized the police for using violence

reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.

reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

Examples of condemn in a Sentence

We strongly condemn this attack against our allies. The government condemns all acts of terrorism. The country condemns the use of violence on prisoners. The school condemns cheating, and any student caught cheating will be expelled. City officials condemned our apartment building and forced us to leave.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The high point for those movements had come in 1896, when an orator named William Jennings Bryan gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention condemning the gold standard for setting the value of the currency. Ron Elving, NPR, 1 Feb. 2025 In a joint statement, both lawmakers condemned the event and called on the university to intervene. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025 Work was briefly halted at the site in 2022 after officials reported finding a noose, an incident condemned as an act of hate but that did not result in arrests. A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025 On Tuesday night, Walz joined those condemning the Tesla founder during an appearance on MSNBC, arguing that there’s nothing unclear or vague about what occurred onstage. New York Daily News, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for condemn 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French condempner, from Latin condemnare, from com- + damnare to condemn — more at damn

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of condemn was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near condemn

Cite this Entry

“Condemn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condemn. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

condemn

verb
con·​demn kən-ˈdem How to pronounce condemn (audio)
1
: to declare to be wrong : censure
condemned their behavior
2
a
: to pronounce guilty : convict
3
: to declare to be unfit for use or consumption
a condemned building
condemnation
ˌkän-ˌdem-ˈnā-shən
-dəm-
noun
condemner noun
or condemnor
kən-ˈdem-ər

Legal Definition

condemn

transitive verb
con·​demn kən-ˈdem How to pronounce condemn (audio)
1
: to impose a penalty on
especially : to sentence to death
2
: to adjudge unfit for use or consumption
3
: to declare convertible to public use under the right of eminent domain : take
condemnable adjective
condemnation noun
condemner noun
or condemnor
kən-ˈde-mər, -ˈdem-ˌnȯr

More from Merriam-Webster on condemn

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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