CENSURE Synonyms: 178 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'censure' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of censure are condemn , criticize , denounce , reprehend , and reprobate . While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding. // a Senator formally censured by his peers

Q: When would 'condemn' be a good substitute for 'censure'?

The synonyms condemn and censure are sometimes interchangeable, but condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment. // condemned the government's racial policies

Q: When could 'criticize' be used to replace 'censure'?

The words criticize and censure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions. // criticized the police for using violence

Q: How do 'denounce' and 'condemn' relate to one another, in the sense of 'censure'?

Denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration. // a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

Q: When can 'reprehend' be used instead of 'censure'?

In some situations, the words reprehend and censure are roughly equivalent. However, reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking. // reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

Q: Where would 'reprobate' be a reasonable alternative to 'censure'?

The meanings of reprobate and censure largely overlap; however, reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction. // reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

censure 1 of 2

noun

ˈsen(t)-shər

Definition of censure next

as in condemnation

an often public or formal expression of disapproval a rare censure of a senator by the full United States Senate for misconduct

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censure

2 of 2

verb

as in to reprimand

to express public or formal disapproval of a vote to censure the President for conduct that was unbecoming to his office

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as in to denounce

to declare to be morally wrong or evil our society generally censures the taking of another person's life

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as in to criticize

to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of critics have striven to outdo each other in censuring that pop novelist's latest work

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb censure differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of censure are condemn, criticize, denounce, reprehend, and reprobate. While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

When would condemn be a good substitute for censure?

The synonyms condemn and censure are sometimes interchangeable, but condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

When could criticize be used to replace censure?

The words criticize and censure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions.

criticized the police for using violence

How do denounce and condemn relate to one another, in the sense of censure?

Denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

When can reprehend be used instead of censure?

In some situations, the words reprehend and censure are roughly equivalent. However, reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

Where would reprobate be a reasonable alternative to censure?

The meanings of reprobate and censure largely overlap; however, reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.

reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of censure

Noun

In 2018, the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate also stalled the promotion of Neom as Crown Prince Mohammed faced global censure and scrutiny over the incident. —

Angela Yang, NBC News, 25 Sep. 2024 Yet the political positions that Russian exiles tend to embrace in the West, either out of conviction or to avoid censure, imperil their political credibility in Russia. —

Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2024

Verb

City leaders censured Councilmember Cline for inappropriate campaigning, which Sartor seized upon. —

Sean Holstege, The Arizona Republic, 30 July 2024 Paxton, like Cruz, was an early and ardent supporter of the lie that Trump won the 2020 election — claims that the attorney general took to the Supreme Court, and for which the State Bar of Texas is seeking to censure him. —

Saul Elbein, The Hill, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for censure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for censure

Noun

Inside, 190 lawmakers succeeded in voting against the decree and Yoon was forced to lift martial law just six hours after announcing it, amid widespread condemnation.

Ivan Watson, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024
The declaration followed Marcos Jr.'s signing of legislation clarifying his nation's maritime claims, a move that drew strong condemnation from Beijing.

Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024