condemn Definition
- 1express complete disapproval of, typically in public; censure
- 2sentence (someone) to a particular punishment, especially death.
- 3declare (something) to be unfit for use.
Using condemn: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "condemn" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The government condemned the terrorist attack and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Example
The court condemned him to life imprisonment for his crimes.
Example
The building was condemned as unsafe and had to be demolished.
Example
I condemn your behavior as unacceptable.
condemn Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using condemn
a damning indictment/verdict
a statement or decision that strongly condemns someone or something
Example
The report was a damning indictment of the company's safety procedures.
a situation in which whatever action you take will have negative consequences
Example
If I tell the truth, I'll get in trouble. If I lie, I'll feel guilty. I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't.
used to say that someone has appeared just as you were talking about them
Example
I was just telling my friend about how I haven't seen John in years, and speak of the devil, there he is!
Phrases with condemn
Example
The judge condemned the murderer to death.
reject or dismiss someone or something completely and immediately
Example
He condemned the proposal out of hand, without even considering its merits.
cause someone or something to be forgotten or ignored completely
Example
The film was condemned to oblivion by critics and audiences alike.
Origins of condemn
from Latin 'condemnare', from 'con-' (expressing intensive force) + 'damnare' (to condemn)
Summary: condemn in Brief
To 'condemn' [kənˈdɛm] is to express complete disapproval of someone or something, often publicly. It can also mean to sentence someone to a particular punishment, such as death, or declare something unfit for use. Examples include 'The government condemned the terrorist attack' and 'The building was condemned as unsafe.' Idioms like 'a damning indictment' and 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' highlight the severity of condemnation.
