censure

[sen-sher]

noun

1. strong or vehement expression of disapproval.

   The newspapers were unanimous in their censure of the tax proposal.

   Synonyms: animadversion, stricture, reprimand, rebuke, reprehension, reproach, reproof, condemnation
   Antonyms: praise

2. an official reprimand, as by a legislative body of one of its members.

   Antonyms: praise

verb (used with object)

censured, censuring 

1. to criticize or reproach in a harsh or vehement manner.

   She is more to be pitied than censured.

   Synonyms: chide, rebuke, reprove
   Antonyms: praise

verb (used without object)

censured, censuring 

1. to give censure, adverse criticism, disapproval, or blame.

censure

/ ˈsɛnʃə /

noun

1. severe disapproval; harsh criticism

verb

1. to criticize (someone or something) severely; condemn

Other Word Forms

• censurer noun
• censureless adjective
• miscensure verb
• precensure verb (used with object)
• procensure adjective
• supercensure noun
• uncensured adjective
• uncensuring adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of censure¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin cēnsūra censor's office, assessment, equivalent to cēns ( us ) past participle of cēnsēre ( censor ) + -ūra -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of censure¹

C14: from Latin cēnsūra, from cēnsēre to consider, assess

Synonym Study

See abuse. See blame, reprimand.

Example Sentences

House Democrats introduced a resolution to censure Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., on Wednesday, citing allegations of assault and lingering questions about his military record.

From Salon

A Scottish council has been censured by the UK's information watchdog after records about a bullying incident were modified weeks after it took place.

From BBC

That earned him a censure from the team for taking too big a risk with the cars, something Piastri said was "fair comment".

From BBC

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson actually called for Padilla's censure while Republican Senate Majority leader John Thune said he's "gathering information."

From Salon

“I think that that behavior at a minimum rises to the level of a censure,” Johnson said.

From Salon

Related Words

• admonish 
• berate 
• castigate 
• chastise 
• chide 
• denounce 
• discipline 
• rebuff 
• rebuke 
• reprimand 
• reproach 
• scold 

When To Use

What does censure mean?

Censure is passionate or intense criticism, as in Many countries were united in their censure of the nation responsible for the nuclear disaster. Censure can also refer to an official condemnation or reprimand, especially by a legislative body to one of its members, as in The lawyer’s terrible conduct earned him a censure from the judge. As a verb, censure means to intensely and harshly criticize something, as in The governor was censured by the media for his incredibly poor handling of the state’s hurricane response.   Censure could be confused with the similarly spelled words censer, censor, and sensor. A censer is a container that holds burning incense. A censor is a person who looks for unacceptable or immoral material in media or creative works. A sensor is a device that sends a signal in reaction to environmental conditions.Example: The musician faced intense censure from other artists after stealing melodies and their career never recovered from the backlash.