Definition

1. 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

1. appropriate (property) for public use
   • the county condemned the land to build a highway
2. pronounce a sentence on (somebody) in a court of law
   • He was condemned to ten years in prison
3. demonstrate the guilt of (someone)
   • Her strange behavior condemned her
4. compel or force into a particular state or activity
   • His devotion to his sick wife condemned him to a lonely existence
5. declare or judge unfit for use or habitation
   • The building was condemned by the inspector
6. express strong disapproval of
   • We condemn the racism in South Africa
   • These ideas were reprobated