What does "condemn" mean?
To strongly criticise or denounce; to excoriate.
Condemn
/kənˈdɛm/ verb
verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: To strongly criticise or denounce; to excoriate.
- Grammar: condemn is listed as verb.
- Nearest alternatives: decry, sentence, abhor, abhors.
- Useful contrasts: acclaimed, exalted, favorable regard.
- Usage evidence: The doctors were wrong to condemn the couple.
How to use "condemn"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "condemn" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "condemn" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "condemn" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "condemn" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "condemn" is acting as verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "decry" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "condemn", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Verb
- 1 To strongly criticise or denounce; to excoriate. transitive
"The president condemned the terrorists."
- 2 declare or judge unfit for use or habitation wordnet
- 3 To judicially pronounce (someone) guilty. transitive
- 4 express strong disapproval of wordnet
- 5 To judicially announce a verdict upon a finding of guilt; To sentence transitive
"The judge condemned him to death."
Show 13 more definitions
- 6 pronounce a sentence on (somebody) in a court of law wordnet
- 7 To confer eternal divine punishment upon. transitive
- 8 demonstrate the guilt of (someone) wordnet
- 9 To destine to experience bad circumstances; to doom. figuratively, transitive
"Too many people are condemned to a life of poverty."
- 10 appropriate (property) for public use wordnet
- 11 To declare something to be unfit for use, or further use. transitive
"There was a massive slaughter of W.R. steam power at the conclusion of the summer timetable. In all, 169 locomotives were condemned."
- 12 compel or force into a particular state or activity wordnet
- 13 To declare something to be unfit for use, or further use.; To adjudge (a building) as being unfit for habitation. transitive
"The house was condemned after it was badly damaged by fire."
- 14 To declare something to be unfit for use, or further use.; To adjudge (building or construction work) as of unsatisfactory quality, requiring the work to be redone. transitive
- 15 To declare something to be unfit for use, or further use.; To adjudge (food or drink) as being unfit for human consumption. transitive
- 16 To declare something to be unfit for use, or further use.; To declare (a vessel) to be unfit for service. transitive
- 17 To determine and declare (property) to be assigned to public use. See eminent domain. transitive
- 18 To declare (a vessel) to be forfeited to the government or to be a prize. transitive
Example
"The doctors were wrong to condemn the couple."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "condemn"?
Common synonyms include: decry, sentence, abhor, abhors, abominate, abominated.
How do you use "condemn" in a sentence?
The doctors were wrong to condemn the couple.
How do you pronounce "condemn"?
Pronounced /kənˈdɛm/.
Etymology
From Middle English condempnen, from Old French condamner, from Latin condemnāre (“to sentence, condemn, blame”), from com- + damnāre (“to harm, condemn, damn”), from damnum (“damage, injury, loss”). Displaced native Middle English fordemen (from Old English fordeman (“condemn, sentence, doom”) > Modern English fordeem.