condemn

[kuhn-dem]

verb (used with object)

1. to express an unfavorable or adverse judgment on; indicate strong disapproval of; censure.

2. to pronounce to be guilty; sentence to punishment.

   to condemn a murderer to life imprisonment.

   Antonyms: liberate, exculpate, exonerate

3. to give grounds or reason for convicting or censuring.

   His acts condemn him.

4. to judge or pronounce to be unfit for use or service.

   to condemn an old building.

5. U.S. Law.,  to acquire ownership of for a public purpose, under the right of eminent domain.

   The city condemned the property.

6. to force into a specific state or activity.

   His lack of education condemned him to a life of menial jobs.

7. to doom to eternal punishment in hell.

8. to declare incurable.

condemn

/ kənˈdɛm, kənˈdɛməbəl /

verb

1. to express strong disapproval of; censure

2. to pronounce judicial sentence on

3. to demonstrate the guilt of

   his secretive behaviour condemned him

4. to judge or pronounce unfit for use

   that food has been condemned

5. to compel or force into a particular state or activity

   his disposition condemned him to boredom

Other Word Forms

• condemnable adjective
• condemnably adverb
• condemner noun
• condemnor noun
• condemningly adverb
• recondemn verb (used with object)
• self-condemning adjective
• uncondemnable adjective
• uncondemning adjective
• uncondemningly adverb
• condemnation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of condemn¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English condempnen, from Anglo-French, Old French condem(p)ner, from Latin condemnāre; con-, damn

Word History and Origins

Origin of condemn¹

C13: from Old French condempner, from Latin condemnāre, from damnāre to condemn; see _damn

Synonym Study

See blame.

Example Sentences

Earlier videos of hostages released by their captors in Gaza have been condemned by world leaders and families as propaganda.

From BBC

Speaking ahead of Thursday's executive meeting at Stormont, he said the violence "needs to be condemned unequivocally".

From BBC

The UCI said it "strongly condemns" the "actions that led to the cancellation of the 11th stage".

From BBC

In June, the three states issued a joint statement condemning Kennedy’s decision to remove all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

From Los Angeles Times

He did not condemn it, but denied China was helping Russia.

From BBC

Related Words

• castigate 
• censure 
• chide 
• criticize 
• decry 
• denounce 
• punish 
• sentence