Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of declaring something to be wrong or evil: "Condemnation" refers to the expression of very strong disapproval, often for moral reasons.
   • The act of sentencing someone, especially in a legal context: It can mean the final judgment of guilt and the assigning of punishment in a criminal case.
   • The state of being officially judged as unfit: In law, it can refer to the act of judging something (like a building or food) as unsafe or not suitable for use.
   • A cause or reason for blame: Something that provides grounds for severe criticism.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The politician faced widespread condemnation for his remarks. (The politician received strong, widespread disapproval for his comments.)
  • The old factory's condemnation was due to numerous safety violations. (The old factory was officially judged unfit for use because of many safety problems.)
  • The jury's condemnation resulted in a life sentence. (The jury's guilty judgment resulted in a punishment of life in prison.)
  • His actions were a condemnation of his own principles. (His actions were a cause for blaming his own principles.)

Advanced Usage

• "beyond condemnation": So bad it cannot be adequately criticized.
  • The war crimes were beyond condemnation. (The war crimes were so terrible that no criticism could be strong enough.)
• "a chorus of condemnation": Widespread and united criticism from many people or groups.
  • The new policy was met with a chorus of condemnation from human rights groups. (The new policy received strong, united disapproval from human rights groups.)

Variants and Related Words

• Condemn (verb): To express complete disapproval of; to sentence or judge officially.
  • The council voted to condemn the unsafe building.
• Condemnatory (adjective): Expressing strong disapproval.
  • She gave him a condemnatory look.

Synonyms

• Censure: Harsh criticism or disapproval.
• Denunciation: Public condemnation.
• Conviction: A formal declaration that someone is guilty of a crime.

Related Phrases

• Vote of condemnation: A formal vote expressing strong disapproval.
  • The assembly passed a vote of condemnation against the regime's actions.
• Self-condemnation: The act of blaming or criticizing oneself.
  • After the mistake, he was filled with self-condemnation.

Related Idioms

• A condemnation to...: A situation that dooms someone to an unpleasant fate.
  • The lack of education is a condemnation to a life of poverty. (The lack of education dooms someone to a life of poverty.)

Noun

1. (criminal law) a final judgment of guilty in a criminal case and the punishment that is imposed
   • the conviction came as no surprise
2. the condition of being strongly disapproved of
   • he deserved nothing but condemnation
3. an appeal to some supernatural power to inflict evil on someone or some group
4. (law) the act of condemning (as land forfeited for public use) or judging to be unfit for use (as a food product or an unsafe building)
5. an expression of strong disapproval; pronouncing as wrong or morally culpable
   • his uncompromising condemnation of racism