What does "condemn" mean?

1. (to criticise strongly) to say publicly that you think something is very bad or wrong. 2. (to sentence) to give a person a specific punishment in a court of law. 3. (to doom) to force someone to experience something very unpleasant or difficult. 4. (to declare unfit) to officially state that a building or piece of equipment is not safe to use.

condemn

US //kənˈdɛm// UK //kəndˈɛm// con·demn

1 to criticise strongly (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to say publicly that you think something is very bad or wrong.

to express complete disapproval of something, typically in public; to censure or denounce on moral grounds.

Example

The world leaders met to condemn the violent attacks on innocent civilians.

Example

The international community was quick to condemn the regime's blatant disregard for human rights and democratic processes.
2 to sentence (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal Law

to give a person a specific punishment in a court of law.

to pronounce a judicial sentence or verdict upon a person found guilty of a crime.

Example

The murderer was condemned to life in prison without the chance of parole.

Example

The defendant was condemned to death, though the execution was stayed pending a lengthy appeals process in the high court.
- sentence
- convict
- acquit
- pardon

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3 to doom (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to force someone to experience something very unpleasant or difficult.

to sentence or destine someone to a particular unhappy fate or set of circumstances.

Example

His lack of education condemned him to a life of low-paid, difficult work.

Example

The sudden collapse of the local industry condemned the entire town to a decade of economic depression and high unemployment.
- doom
- destine
- damn
- save
- rescue
4 to declare unfit (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to officially state that a building or piece of equipment is not safe to use.

to declare a structure or piece of equipment to be officially unfit for use, often leading to its closure or destruction.

Example

The old apartment block was condemned after the inspectors found serious cracks in the walls.

Example

Following the earthquake, the city engineers condemned several historic buildings that were deemed structurally unsound and a risk to public safety.
- ban
- proscribe
- approve
- certify

Origin

From Middle English condempnen, from Old French condamner, from Latin condemnāre (“to sentence, condemn, blame”), from com- + damnāre (“to harm, condemn, damn”), from damnum (“damage, injury, loss”). Displaced native Middle English fordemen (from Old English fordeman (“condemn, sentence, doom”) > Modern English fordeem.