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

Bartomeu resigned from the Barca presidency in October 2020 after a motion of censure, which Font helped organise, received more than 20,000 signatures from club members. —

Dermot Corrigan, The Athletic, 31 July 2024 In reality, Arthur Watkins, this conservative Republican senator from Utah, chaired the censure committee and then was destroyed for it. —

Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 13 June 2024

Verb

There is something mind-boggling about this rush to censure. —

Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 2 Nov. 2024 But you were actually censured by Republicans in Oklahoma, in your home state. —

NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for censure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for censure

Noun

Global condemnation over the lack of transparency prompted Maduro to ask the country’s high court — also filled with allies of his United Socialist Party of Venezuela — to audit the election results.

Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Its military campaign on Syrian soil has drawn increasing international condemnation.

Natasha Frost, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025