What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
decry
Example
The community leaders decry the government's decision to cut funding for education. [decry: verb]
Example
The article in the newspaper decrying the company's unethical practices went viral. [decrying: present participle]
condemn
Example
The United Nations condemned the use of chemical weapons in the war. [condemned: past tense]
Example
The judge condemned the defendant to life imprisonment for his heinous crimes. [condemn: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Condemn is more commonly used than decry in formal contexts such as legal or political settings. However, decry is more commonly used in media or public discourse.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between decry and condemn?
Condemn is more formal than decry and is often used in legal or political contexts. Decry is less formal and can be used in various contexts, including media, public discourse, and everyday conversation.
