Word
condemn
Phoneticscon·demn, stress on the second syllable
US/kənˈdɛm/
UK/kəndˈɛm/
Definitions
01to criticise strongly
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to say publicly that you think something is very bad or wrong.
v. to express complete disapproval of something, typically in public; to censure or denounce on moral grounds.
日本語:責める※
“The world leaders met to condemn the violent attacks on innocent civilians.”
“The international community was quick to condemn the regime's blatant disregard for human rights and democratic processes.”
02to sentence
C1 · Advanced Law Formal
v. to give a person a specific punishment in a court of law.
v. to pronounce a judicial sentence or verdict upon a person found guilty of a crime.
“The murderer was condemned to life in prison without the chance of parole.”
“The defendant was condemned to death, though the execution was stayed pending a lengthy appeals process in the high court.”
03to doom
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to force someone to experience something very unpleasant or difficult.
v. to sentence or destine someone to a particular unhappy fate or set of circumstances.
“His lack of education condemned him to a life of low-paid, difficult work.”
“The sudden collapse of the local industry condemned the entire town to a decade of economic depression and high unemployment.”
04to declare unfit
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to officially state that a building or piece of equipment is not safe to use.
v. to declare a structure or piece of equipment to be officially unfit for use, often leading to its closure or destruction.
“The old apartment block was condemned after the inspectors found serious cracks in the walls.”
“Following the earthquake, the city engineers condemned several historic buildings that were deemed structurally unsound and a risk to public safety.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “condemn” in context.
Verb
01. condemn the building for safety violations
“The city council decided to condemn the building for safety violations after the inspection.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
02. condemn the policy as unjust
“Human rights organizations condemned the new policy as unjust and discriminatory.”
verb + noun + adj
03. condemn the prisoner to death
“The judge had no choice but to condemn the prisoner to death for his crimes.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
04. unequivocally condemn the violence
“The international community was quick to unequivocally condemn the violence against peaceful protesters.”
adv + verb
Preposition
05. condemned for his remarks
“The politician was widely condemned for his remarks regarding the immigrant community.”
verb + prep + noun
06. condemned to a life of poverty
“Without access to education, many children are condemned to a life of poverty.”
verb + prep + noun
Adverb
07. publicly condemn the actions
“The CEO was forced to publicly condemn the actions of the rogue employees.”
adv + verb
08. universally condemned
“The decision to cut funding for public schools was universally condemned by parents and teachers alike.”
adv + verb
Real-World Examples
“A US official and an Israeli official said on Friday White House officials are pressing Netanyahu to publicly condemn the siege.” “This may be especially true when demands to condemn Mangione appear to ignore inequities within an American health insurance system perceived as corrupt and unjust .” Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/condemn
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0