condemn
/kən'dem/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To express strong disapproval of; to declare something as wrong or evil: This is the most common meaning, indicating a formal or severe judgment against actions, ideas, or situations.
- To pronounce a judicial sentence upon someone; to sentence: Used in legal contexts to state the punishment for a convicted person.
- To declare something unfit for use or habitation: Often used by officials to state that a building, vehicle, or item is unsafe and must not be used.
- To force someone into an unfortunate state or situation: To be the cause of someone having to endure something unpleasant.
- To demonstrate the guilt of someone: To provide evidence or circumstances that clearly show someone is guilty.
Usage Examples
- Expressing Disapproval:
- World leaders were quick to condemn the terrorist attack.
- The statement condemns all forms of discrimination.
- Pronouncing a Sentence:
- The judge condemned the murderer to life imprisonment.
- He was condemned to death for his crimes.
- Declaring Unfit for Use:
- The old factory was condemned after the inspection.
- The health department condemned the restaurant for numerous violations.
- Forcing into a State:
- His lack of education condemned him to a life of poverty.
- A knee injury condemned the athlete to watching from the sidelines.
Advanced Usage
- "Condemn someone/something as...": To label or describe someone/something in a strongly negative way.
- The policy was widely condemned as unjust.
- "Condemn someone/something for (doing) something": To express strong disapproval about a specific action.
- She was condemned for her harsh treatment of the staff.
- "Condemn someone to something": To force someone into a specific, usually bad, fate or situation.
- The economic crisis condemned many families to hardship.
Variants and Related Words
- Condemnation (n): The act of condemning or the state of being condemned.
- The proposal faced widespread condemnation.
- Condemnable (adj): Deserving condemnation.
- His actions were utterly condemnable.
- Condemned (adj): Officially declared unfit for use; or, sentenced to punishment.
- They entered the condemned building at their own risk.
- The condemned man awaited his execution.
Synonyms
- Denounce: To publicly declare something to be wrong or evil.
- Censure: To express severe disapproval, often formally.
- Sentence: To declare the punishment decided for a convicted person (legal context).
- Decry: To publicly denounce.
Related Phrases
- "Condemn out of hand": To reject or disapprove of something immediately without proper consideration.
- We shouldn't condemn the plan out of hand; let's examine it first.
Verb
- appropriate (property) for public use
- the county condemned the land to build a highway
- pronounce a sentence on (somebody) in a court of law
- He was condemned to ten years in prison
- demonstrate the guilt of (someone)
- Her strange behavior condemned her
- compel or force into a particular state or activity
- His devotion to his sick wife condemned him to a lonely existence
- declare or judge unfit for use or habitation
- The building was condemned by the inspector
- express strong disapproval of
- We condemn the racism in South Africa
- These ideas were reprobated