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 of condemn in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web To Simone, child servitude is an evil so plain even CNN can condemn it. —

Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024 The report found Harvard, Columbia, and Penn, including presidents and board chairs, condemned the committee's actions. —

Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2024 In his endorsement, Kennedy appeared to reverse his tone on Trump after condemning the former president on several occasions. —

Ty Roush, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 In a dramatic moment during a U.N. Security Council meeting, the deputy U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Robert Wood, asked for more time to add to earlier comments condemning the increasing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. —

Tara Copp, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for condemn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for condemn

Verb

The Los Angeles Police Protective League, which endorsed De León and represents about 8,800 officers, is now airing 30-second attack ads criticizing Jurado.

David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024
Later that year, he was blamed — and later sued — for the cancellation of a music festival in Malaysia after criticizing the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws before kissing bassist Ross MacDonald.

Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2024