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condemn

verb
con·​demn | \ kÉ™n-ˈdem How to pronounce condemn (audio) \
condemned; condemning; condemns

Definition of condemn

transitive verb

1 : to declare to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil usually after weighing evidence and without reservation a policy widely condemned as racist
2a : to pronounce guilty : convict
b : sentence, doom condemn a prisoner to die
3 : to adjudge unfit for use or consumption condemn an old apartment building
4 : to declare convertible to public use under the right of eminent domain
Other Words from condemn Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about condemn

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Other Words from condemn

condemnable \ kÉ™n-​ˈdem-​nÉ™-​bÉ™l How to pronounce condemnable (audio) , -​ˈde-​mÉ™-​ \ adjective
condemnatory \ kÉ™n-​ˈdem-​nÉ™-​ËŒtȯr-​Ä“ How to pronounce condemnatory (audio) , -​ˈde-​mÉ™-​ \ adjective
condemner \ kÉ™n-​ˈde-​mÉ™r How to pronounce condemner (audio) \ or condemnor \ kÉ™n-​ˈde-​mÉ™r How to pronounce condemnor (audio) ; kÉ™n-​ËŒdem-​ˈnȯr , ËŒkän-​ \ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for condemn

Synonyms

anathematize, censure, damn, decry, denounce, execrate, reprehend, reprobate

Antonyms

bless

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Choose the Right Synonym for condemn

criticize, reprehend, censure, reprobate, condemn, denounce mean to find fault with openly. criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions. criticized the police for using violence reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking. reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding. a Senator formally censured by his peers reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction. reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment. condemned the government's racial policies denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration. a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

Examples of condemn in a Sentence

We strongly condemn this attack against our allies. The government condemns all acts of terrorism. The country condemns the use of violence on prisoners. The school condemns cheating, and any student caught cheating will be expelled. City officials condemned our apartment building and forced us to leave.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The event quickly gained attention from political leaders and organizations in Michigan, who condemned the discussion and called for its cancellation. — Emma Keith, USA TODAY, "Michigan church, Islamophobic pastor cancel anti-Muslim 9/11 event after backlash," 10 Sep. 2019 Earlier on Sunday, several hundred opponents of the Pride march held a peaceful meeting and a walk, carrying placards condemning homosexuality. — NBC News, "Bosnians march in first Gay Pride under tight police protection," 9 Sep. 2019 Royals stars and Franch's USWNT teammates Christen Press and Becky Sauerbrunn also responded to the incident, condemning the use of racist language by any fan. — Khadrice Rollins, SI.com, "Royals, Thorns Investigating Racist Remarks Directed at Portland's Adrianna Franch," 8 Sep. 2019 Rather than condemning an egregious campaign perpetrated on a vulnerable population of iOS users, Apple seemed to be using the hacking spree to assure mainstream users that they weren’t targeted. — Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, "Apple takes flak for disputing iOS security bombshell dropped by Google," 7 Sep. 2019 Stevenson said Just Mercy will hopefully bring the wrongly condemned to mainstream media, so people can get closer to the issue and accept change. — Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, "Toronto: Michael B. Jordan Reveals Why He Embraced Injustice Drama 'Just Mercy'," 7 Sep. 2019 Social media and shows such as 13 Reasons Why and Black Mirror have opened new debates on suicide, whether they are accused of glamorizing it or hailed for condemning society and governments for lack of care and support. — Simon Harold Walker, Time, "If We Want to Address the Crisis of Veteran Suicide, We Must Acknowledge Its History," 6 Sep. 2019 Most leaders of the FARC, which became a political party and has ten seats in congress, condemned Mr Márquez’s return to war. — The Economist, "Will Colombia return to war?," 5 Sep. 2019 The Sunshine State stood second only to California in the number of people condemned to death — 59 — in the five years before Ayala took her anti-capital punishment stand. — Beth Kassab, orlandosentinel.com, "Just 1 new death sentence since cases taken from Ayala, as impact of unanimous jury rule felt," 5 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'condemn.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of condemn

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for condemn

Middle English, from Anglo-French condempner, from Latin condemnare, from com- + damnare to condemn — more at damn

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More Definitions for condemn

condemn

verb
How to pronounce condemn (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of condemn

: to say in a strong and definite way that someone or something is bad or wrong
: to give (someone) a usually severe punishment
: to cause (someone) to suffer or live in difficult or unpleasant conditions

See the full definition for condemn in the English Language Learners Dictionary

condemn

verb
con·​demn | \ kÉ™n-ˈdem How to pronounce condemn (audio) \
condemned; condemning

Kids Definition of condemn

1 : to cause to suffer or live in difficult or unpleasant conditions She was condemned to spend her summer in a cast.
2 : to sentence to a usually severe punishment The criminals were condemned and punished.
3 : to declare to be wrong School policy condemns cheating.
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