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censure

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verb

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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

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of censure
Noun
This California congressman joins three other Republicans in opposing Omar censure via David Lightman. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2025 At the same time, critics—including the four Republicans who opposed the censure measure—have raised concerns that these actions risk infringing on free speech. Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
Democrats have criticized Mace’s attempt to censure Omar. Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025 In 2023, the House, then run by Republicans, took the extraordinary step of censuring Schiff. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for censure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for censure
Noun
  • The United Kingdom, France, Australia and Canada, amongst a number of other western countries, have announced their recognition of Palestine, drawing condemnation from Netanyahu.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
  • While many governments defended Israel's initial right to respond to the attack, the scale of civilian death and suffering wrought by its war have drawn increasing international condemnation and isolation for the Jewish state.
    Alexander Smith, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Cast members immediately reacted to Caroline’s misgendering, with some reprimanding her, while others covered their faces in embarrassment.
    Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 8 Oct. 2025
  • When a school principal (Ashley Padilla) and a teacher (Mikey Day) reprimand a student (Hernandez) for disturbing drawings of him attacking the principal, the student’s father (Bad Bunny) comes in, and Padilla’s principal, immediately smitten, changes course to hitting on the student’s father.
    Rima Parikh, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Virginia Democratic Party has not called for Jones to drop out, though several prominent figures, including Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, and Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, have issued statements denouncing the messages.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Dozens of colleagues, including Burgos, signed a letter denouncing Mamdani and his co-sponsors.
    Eric Lach, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Since leaving the British royal family in 2020 and stepping down from their roles as senior members of The Firm, Harry and Meghan have faced backlash for their media ventures and transition into Hollywood, with many criticizing the couple’s lack of views on their Netflix content.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Beijing has long criticized Washington for exerting control beyond its borders through export rules that bar third-country companies from supplying China with chips made using American technology.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • New York State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt, a Republican, also condemned the messages.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Republicans defended Kirk, condemning the political violence that led to his death and calling for civility.
    Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Swart also blamed major social-media platforms for monetizing outrage and accelerating polarization.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Peart is certainly not the only one to blame for Denver’s putrid offensive effort, which included a trio of three-and-outs and a safety — on Quinn Meinerz for holding in the end zone — among the team’s first four drives of the second half.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Ring of Fire surrounds much of the Pacific Ocean and is home to numerous oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and fault systems.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Republicans blame Democrats for opposing their clean spending package, while Democrats fault Republicans for rejecting their own bill, which sought to extend subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • About 1 in 7 American companies has punished employees over social media comments related to Kirk’s killing.
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Obsess Over Concept-to-Execution Speed – The market punishes slow thinkers.
    Erik Huberman, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Censure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/censure. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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