C1verbformal3K

Condemn

UK /["/kənˈdem/","/kənˈdemz/","/kənˈdemd/","/kənˈdemɪŋ/"]/US /["/kənˈdem/","/kənˈdemz/","/kənˈdemd/","/kənˈdemɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to say very strongly that you think something is bad, usually for moral reasons

In simple words: to say that something is wrong or bad

Examples

  • The court decided to condemn the defendant to ten years in prison.
  • Many people condemn the practice of animal testing for cosmetics.
  • The council voted to condemn the unsafe building, deeming it a hazard to the public.
  • Activists gathered to condemn the government's decision to cut funding for education.
  • He felt it was important to condemn the unethical behavior he witnessed at work.
  • The report will condemn the environmental practices of the company and recommend new regulations.
  • While we must condemn violence, we should also seek peaceful solutions.

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.

Grammar pattern

condemn + object

Memory hint

Think of 'con' as in 'against' and 'demn' as in 'damn' — you're saying 'that's damn bad!'

Collocations

  • roundly
  • strongly
  • vehemently
  • for
  • be widely condemned

Synonyms

  • censure
  • denounce
  • criticize
  • reproach
  • blame

Antonyms

  • praise
  • commend
  • endorse

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'.