CONDEMN Synonyms: 166 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of condemn are censure , criticize , denounce , reprehend , and reprobate . While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment. // condemned the government's racial policies

Q: In what contexts can 'censure' take the place of 'condemn'?

The synonyms censure and condemn are sometimes interchangeable, but censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding. // a Senator formally censured by his peers

Q: Where would 'criticize' be a reasonable alternative to 'condemn'?

The words criticize and condemn 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?

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

Q: When could 'reprehend' be used to replace 'condemn'?

While in some cases nearly identical to condemn , reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking. // reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

Q: When is it sensible to use 'reprobate' instead of 'condemn'?

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

condemn

verb

kən-ˈdem

Definition of condemn

as in to denounce

to declare to be morally wrong or evil it is a sign of human progress that slavery, which was once legal in many places, is now universally condemned

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as in to criticize

to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of a report that condemns the working conditions in the factories of many developing countries

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as in to censure

to express public or formal disapproval of the philosopher's works were once condemned by the church and placed on its list of forbidden books

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as in to convict

to find or pronounce guilty the accused was condemned by the news media even before the trial began

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as in to sentence

to impose a judicial punishment on a stern judge who does not hesitate to condemn a felon to life behind bars

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb condemn differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of condemn are censure, criticize, denounce, reprehend, and reprobate. While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

In what contexts can censure take the place of condemn?

The synonyms censure and condemn are sometimes interchangeable, but censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

Where would criticize be a reasonable alternative to condemn?

The words criticize and condemn 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?

Denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

When could reprehend be used to replace condemn?

While in some cases nearly identical to condemn, reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

When is it sensible to use reprobate instead of condemn?

The meanings of reprobate and condemn 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 condemn Researchers sometimes refer to these influences as permission structures, or social cues that signal whether certain behaviors are likely to be rewarded, ignored or condemned. — Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 The author — who first came under fire in 2020 for making remarks widely condemned as transphobic — has denied being transphobic, defending her views as pro-feminist. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 Many advocacy organizations, meanwhile, condemned the court’s decision. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 June 2026 Eight of the primary winners who condemned the Gaza conflict were backed by American Priorities, a new pro-Palestinian super PAC supporting candidates who have been critical of Israel’s military actions. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for condemn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for condemn

Verb

Activists and faith leaders denounced the conditions at the office during a press conference the previous day, calling on officials to visit the facility and said there had been bad conditions at the facility for weeks.

— Vera Lucia Pappaterra, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Prosecutors call Hearn’s actions a deliberate, violent act causing more than $1,000 in damage, and his attorneys denounce the case as an alarming misuse of government power.

— Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of denounce

Verb

For all her talk of women as allies, Siebel Newsom portrays conservative women who criticize other women as dupes manipulated by MAGA leaders.

— Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Last month, his ally Uthmeier declined to criticize the state party’s decision to limit the debate.

— Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

Polis was censured by the Colorado Democratic Party in May as a result of his decision letting Peters out of prison.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 1 July 2026
The South Dakota Republican Party on Friday voted down a measure to censure Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) after the Senate failed to advance the SAVE America Act.

— Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 26 June 2026

Definition of censure

Verb

Murdaugh, once a powerful personal injury attorney in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, was convicted in 2023 of killing his wife, Maggie, 52, and their younger son, Paul, 22, at the family’s hunting estate in June 2021.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
He was convicted of that crime and given 96 months of probation, according to the press release.

— Mary Ella Hastings July 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 July 2026

Definition of convict

Verb

If these rotations fail to get results, will Spo take the blame or will fans forget his history and fault the player who is underperforming?

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026
The lawsuit also faulted organizers for not ensuring attendees did not have weapons, tear gas or bear spray, for allowing attendees to enter the festival from multiple unmonitored points and for not imposing security measures after problems at previous events.

— Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026

Definition of fault

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“Condemn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condemn. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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