Condemn: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'condemn' when expressing strong disapproval, often in a moral or legal context. This term implies a very serious judgment.

• The government condemned the attack as an act of terrorism.
• The community condemned his actions as unethical and irresponsible.

Use 'criticize' when pointing out the faults or problems in something or someone. It can be used in both formal and informal situations.

• She criticized his cooking for being too salty.
• The teacher criticized the student's essay for its lack of clarity.

Use 'denounce' when making a formal or public declaration of disapproval, often with a sense of urgency or seriousness.

• The leader denounced corruption within the government.
• Human rights organizations denounced the treatment of prisoners.

Use 'disapprove' to express a lack of approval or agreement. It is often used in personal or professional contexts where the disapproval is less intense than 'condemn' or 'denounce'.

• Her parents disapproved of her decision to quit school.
• The board disapproved of the proposed budget cuts.

Use when expressing strong disapproval or criticism, often in moral or ethical contexts.

• The community leaders condemn the violence in the neighborhood
• Social media users were quick to condemn the racist remarks

Use when legally declaring the punishment for someone convicted of a crime.

• The judge sentenced him to 10 years in prison
• She was sentenced to community service for her offense

Use when imposing a penalty or sanction for an offense, mistake, or wrongdoing.

• Parents often punish their children for misbehavior
• The teacher punished the students for cheating on the exam

Use when carrying out a death penalty or putting a decision or plan into effect. This word often has a serious or severe connotation.

• The state decided to execute the criminal for his heinous crimes
• The company plans to execute the new strategy next month

This term is often used in a legal or moral sense to express strong disapproval or to officially pronounce something as wrong. It can be used for individuals, actions, or buildings that are not safe.

• The authorities condemned the building after the fire.
• She was condemned for her actions.

This term is used more generally to indicate that something or someone is considered unsuitable for a specific purpose or condition. It can apply to objects, buildings, or even people.

• The food was deemed unfit for human consumption.
• The candidate was deemed unfit for the position.

This phrase is used to officially announce that something, typically a building or area, is not safe for use or occupation. It could be due to various hazards like structural problems or toxic materials.

• The factory was declared unsafe after the inspection revealed multiple violations.
• Due to the risk of landslides, the entire mountainside area was declared unsafe.

This is specifically used when a building or structure is considered not safe to live in. This could be due to structural damage, health hazards, or other safety concerns.

• The old mansion was condemned as uninhabitable due to severe structural issues.
• Following the earthquake, several houses were condemned as uninhabitable.