Condemn
To express strong disapproval of something or someone, and to declare them unfit, wrong, or deserving of punishment; in a legal sense, to sentence a person to punishment.
verbCondemn
To express strong disapproval of something or someone, and to declare them unfit, wrong, or deserving of punishment; in a legal sense, to sentence a person to punishment.
verbImagine This
Imagine a building inspector posting a large red notice that says Condemned after a dangerous inspectionβno one may enter, and the plan is to demolish the structure.
Sounds Like
kΙn-DEM-Ιn
Looks Like
con-demn (looks like con + damn; resembles 'demon' minus the 'o')
Remember This
Condemn is stronger than merely criticizing; it carries official judgment or punishment. It is not the same as condone (to approve).
Other Forms
Note
Use condemn for formal disapproval or official judgment (e.g., a building is condemned; a policy is condemned). In legal contexts, it often means to sentence. Do not confuse with 'condone' (to approve or overlook).
Study Deeper
- The city council condemned the proposal as wasteful and unnecessary.
- After the earthquake, the building was condemned as unsafe and was demolished.
From Latin condemnare, meaning to condemn or sentence; formed from the prefix con- (together/intensifier) with damnare (to damn), carried into Old French as condemner and then into English as condemn.
Con-demn: Think of a courtroom scene where a judge says a person is 'con-damn'edβcon- (with) + damn means to declare guilty or unfit; a strong judgment that harms the subject.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Denounce
verbTo publicly condemn or criticize something or someone.
Decry
verbTo publicly condemn or denounce something; to express strong disapproval of a policy, action, or idea.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.