CENSURE Synonyms: 179 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'censure' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of censure are condemn , criticize , denounce , reprehend , and reprobate . While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding. // a Senator formally censured by his peers

Q: When would 'condemn' be a good substitute for 'censure'?

The synonyms condemn and censure are sometimes interchangeable, but condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment. // condemned the government's racial policies

Q: When could 'criticize' be used to replace 'censure'?

The words criticize and censure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions. // criticized the police for using violence

Q: How do 'denounce' and 'condemn' relate to one another, in the sense of 'censure'?

Denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration. // a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

Q: When can 'reprehend' be used instead of 'censure'?

In some situations, the words reprehend and censure are roughly equivalent. However, reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking. // reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

Q: Where would 'reprobate' be a reasonable alternative to 'censure'?

The meanings of reprobate and censure largely overlap; however, reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction. // reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

censure 1 of 2

noun

ˈsen(t)-shər

Definition of censure

as in condemnation

an often public or formal expression of disapproval a rare censure of a senator by the full United States Senate for misconduct

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censure

2 of 2

verb

as in to reprimand

to express public or formal disapproval of a vote to censure the President for conduct that was unbecoming to the office

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as in to denounce

to declare to be morally wrong or evil our society generally censures the taking of another person's life

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as in to criticize

to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of critics have striven to outdo each other in censuring that pop novelist's latest work

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb censure differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of censure are condemn, criticize, denounce, reprehend, and reprobate. While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

When would condemn be a good substitute for censure?

The synonyms condemn and censure are sometimes interchangeable, but condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

When could criticize be used to replace censure?

The words criticize and censure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions.

criticized the police for using violence

How do denounce and condemn relate to one another, in the sense of censure?

Denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

When can reprehend be used instead of censure?

In some situations, the words reprehend and censure are roughly equivalent. However, reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

Where would reprobate be a reasonable alternative to censure?

The meanings of reprobate and censure largely overlap; however, reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.

reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of censure

Noun

Following the vote, Speaker Mike Johnson asked Edwards to present himself in the well of the chamber as the censure resolution was read aloud. — John Parkinson, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 Council members thanked Saunders for his apology and the censure item was approved by 4-1 vote, with Saunders as the only no vote. — James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Verb

Rather than being censured for the debacle, however, Li was elevated by Xi to the top ranks of the Politburo Standing Committee in 2022 and made state premier in 2023. — Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026 Indeed, the longtime congressman was censured in Congress for this matter, a subversion of democracy. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for censure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for censure

Noun

The Johnson County pastor and the former rural doctor traded condemnations, repeatedly turning policy questions into opportunities to cast doubt on each other’s character and fitness for office.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Under Ben-Gvir, Israeli police have increasingly allowed Jews to pray at the site, a deliberate provocation to the Arab world, drawing condemnation from Palestinian and Jordanian authorities.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of condemnation

Verb

Mandell was later formally reprimanded for allowing another client’s hearing to be delayed by six years, during which time two witnesses died.

— Samantha Melamed, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2026
The Denver school board censured director Monica Hunter on Thursday night, the third time in five years that the governing body of Colorado’s largest K-12 district has publicly reprimanded a colleague.

— Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of reprimand

Verb

Omar has denounced the investigations as a politically motivated conspiracy against her, and used it to urge supporters to donate to her reelection campaign.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
That backstory could make his refusal to denounce the ad a more enduring political problem for him.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of denounce

Verb

Vance has neither criticized his friend nor publicly nudged Carlson to temper what’s been harsh criticism of Israel — and Trump’s cultivation of the Netanyahu government.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
At an October debate, Bass pointed out that Raman, as chair of the city council’s housing and homelessness committee, had repeatedly approved spending on Inside Safe, the very program Raman now criticizes as expensive and insufficiently accountable.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

The Israeli-American Council forcefully condemned his rhetoric as dangerous, dehumanizing hate speech.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Sensationalist books, television specials, true-crime documentaries, podcasts, and talk shows have judged and condemned him without conclusive evidence, without a trial, and without an opportunity to defend himself.

— Gustavo Egusquiza, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of condemn

Verb

That set off the wave of youth protests that blamed the collapse on high-level corruption and cronyism during renovation work at the station.

— JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Anything this pair does for the next several months that is not together will be scrutinized, dissected, interpreted, and ESPN can only blame itself.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of blame

Verb

The judge also faulted Phillips and Chaib for not getting a new attorney months earlier, when the relationship began to deteriorate.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026
The system transmitted 28 operating parameters, including load data, component temperatures, operating hours, and fault codes.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of fault

Verb

The course is august and sweeping, with long straights and punishing curves, framed by the tall pine trees of a former royal park.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
Cam Skattebo was surprisingly punished for his fumbling issues, but there is precedence in John Harbaugh’s coaching history.

— Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of punish

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censurable

censure

censured

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“Censure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/censure. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of censure

noun

verb

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