CONDEMN Synonyms: 165 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of condemn are censure , criticize , denounce , reprehend , and reprobate . While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment. // condemned the government's racial policies

Q: In what contexts can 'censure' take the place of 'condemn'?

The synonyms censure and condemn are sometimes interchangeable, but censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding. // a Senator formally censured by his peers

Q: Where would 'criticize' be a reasonable alternative to 'condemn'?

The words criticize and condemn 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?

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

Q: When could 'reprehend' be used to replace 'condemn'?

While in some cases nearly identical to condemn , reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking. // reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

Q: When is it sensible to use 'reprobate' instead of 'condemn'?

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

condemn

verb

kən-ˈdem

Definition of condemn next

as in to denounce

to declare to be morally wrong or evil it is a sign of human progress that slavery, which was once legal in many places, is now universally condemned

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as in to criticize

to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of a report that condemns the working conditions in the factories of many developing countries

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as in to censure

to express public or formal disapproval of the philosopher's works were once condemned by the church and placed on its list of forbidden books

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as in to convict

to find or pronounce guilty the accused was condemned by the news media even before the trial began

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as in to sentence

to impose a judicial punishment on a stern judge who does not hesitate to condemn a felon to life behind bars

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb condemn differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of condemn are censure, criticize, denounce, reprehend, and reprobate. While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

In what contexts can censure take the place of condemn?

The synonyms censure and condemn are sometimes interchangeable, but censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

Where would criticize be a reasonable alternative to condemn?

The words criticize and condemn 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?

Denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

When could reprehend be used to replace condemn?

While in some cases nearly identical to condemn, reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

When is it sensible to use reprobate instead of condemn?

The meanings of reprobate and condemn 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 condemn While one party in South Africa's coalition government, the Democratic Alliance, has belatedly condemned what's taken place at Stilfontein, members of the largest party in government, the African National Congress, are sticking to their guns. —

Kate Bartlett, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025 He was made to testify at the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg and was later condemned to death by a Polish tribunal. —

Saskya Vandoorne, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025 The Florida Democratic Party condemned Biden’s decision to lift sanctions against Cuba. —

Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 Jan. 2025 Fried condemned the administration’s decision and urged officials to reverse course. —

Filip Timotija, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for condemn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for condemn

Verb

Trump has been harshly criticized for pardoning Jan. 6 defendants who assaulted police officers but said Tuesday that planned pardons of D.C. police Terence Sutton and Andrew Zabavsky indicate his true stance in support of law enforcement.

— Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 22 Jan. 2025
PinkNews journalist Amelia Hansford criticizes the movie for portraying the titular character’s gender transition as a moral decision to absolve her of her past sins.

— Conor Murray, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025