Cool MateCondemn vs Criticize
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Condemn
FormalTop 3,000 (common)C1verb
Criticize
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most formal: CondemnMost common: Criticize
| Condemn | Criticize | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈdem/","/kənˈdemz/","/kənˈdemd/","/kənˈdemɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈdem/","/kənˈdemz/","/kənˈdemd/","/kənˈdemɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkrɪtɪsaɪz/","/ˈkrɪtɪsaɪzɪz/","/ˈkrɪtɪsaɪzd/","/ˈkrɪtɪsaɪzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkrɪtɪsaɪz/","/ˈkrɪtɪsaɪzɪz/","/ˈkrɪtɪsaɪzd/","/ˈkrɪtɪsaɪzɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | to say that something is wrong or bad | To say something negative about someone or something. |
| Example | The court decided to condemn the defendant to ten years in prison. | It's easy to criticize others, but we should focus on improving ourselves. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | roundly, strongly, vehemently, for, be widely condemned | bitterly, fiercely, harshly, for, be widely criticized (as something), criticize somebody/something on the grounds that |
| Antonyms | praise, commend, endorse | praise, compliment, approve |
| Common mistakes | 'Condemn' is sometimes confused with 'commend', which means to praise., Learners might use 'condemn' with the wrong preposition, like saying 'condemn for' instead of 'condemn to'., Some may struggle with the spelling, often misspelling as 'condem'. | Confused with 'complain' which is less formal., Using it without an object: 'I criticize.' should be 'I criticize the movie.', Overusing in friendly conversations can make you sound negative. |
| Usage notes | Used when expressing strong disapproval of actions, behaviors, or decisions. Appropriate in legal or moral contexts, but might seem too strong in casual conversations. | Used in a variety of contexts. It’s appropriate in discussions about performance, art, or behavior, but can seem harsh if used in personal situations. Consider the feelings of others before using. |
Frequently asked questions: Condemn vs Criticize
What's the difference between Condemn and Criticize?
Condemn: to say that something is wrong or bad Criticize: To say something negative about someone or something.
Which is more formal: Condemn and Criticize?
Condemn is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Condemn and Criticize?
Criticize is the most common in everyday English.
Are Condemn and Criticize the same CEFR level?
Condemn: C1, Criticize: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Condemn and Criticize interchangeably?
Not always. Condemn and Criticize are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.