Condemn means to express strong disapproval or to officially sentence someone to a punishment.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Strongly disapprove of something as wrong.
- Can mean to officially sentence someone to punishment.
- Often used in formal contexts like news and law.
Overview
The word 'condemn' is used to express strong disapproval or judgment against something or someone. It implies that the speaker believes the action, idea, or person is morally wrong, unacceptable, or harmful. It's a powerful word that carries significant weight and is often used in formal settings or when discussing serious matters.
**Overview:**
'Condemn' signifies a formal or strong statement of disapproval. It can be used to criticize actions, policies, behaviors, or even people. In a legal context, it has a more specific meaning: to officially sentence someone to a punishment, such as prison time. This dual meaning makes it important to understand the context in which 'condemn' is used.
**Usage Patterns:**
'Condemn' is generally considered a formal word. You'll encounter it frequently in news reports, political speeches, legal documents, and serious discussions. While it can be used in spoken language, it's less common in casual, everyday conversation unless discussing a significant event or expressing strong personal disapproval. In writing, it's more prevalent in opinion pieces, editorials, and academic analyses.
**Common Contexts:**
- Politics and International Relations: Leaders often condemn the actions of other countries, terrorist groups, or human rights violations. For example, 'The international community condemned the invasion.'
- Law and Justice: A judge might condemn a criminal to a lengthy prison sentence. 'The court condemned the defendant to ten years in prison.'
- Social Issues: Activists and organizations condemn discrimination, violence, or unethical practices. 'The organization condemned the company's environmental policies.'
- Personal Disapproval: While less common in casual talk, someone might condemn a friend's unethical behavior in a serious conversation. 'I must condemn your decision to lie to the authorities.'
Examples
The United Nations condemned the country's actions.
formalLas Naciones Unidas condenaron las acciones del país.
The judge condemned the defendant to five years in prison.
legalEl juez condenó al acusado a cinco años de prisión.
Many people condemn the use of animal testing.
social issueMucha gente condena el uso de pruebas en animales.
The building was condemned by the city council.
officialEl edificio fue declarado en ruinas por el ayuntamiento.
I cannot condemn him for trying his best.
informalNo puedo condenarlo por dar lo mejor de sí.
The report condemned the company's environmental impact.
businessEl informe condenó el impacto ambiental de la empresa.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
condemn to hell
condenar al infierno
condemn the act
condenar el acto
Often Confused With
'Denounce' is very similar and often interchangeable, meaning to publicly declare to be wrong or evil. 'Condemn' can also imply a formal sentence or judgment, which 'denounce' typically does not.
'Criticize' means to indicate the faults or shortcomings of someone or something. 'Condemn' is much stronger, implying a judgment of being fundamentally wrong or evil, often with moral implications.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Use 'condemn' for expressing strong, often formal, disapproval. It can also refer to a legal sentence. Avoid using it in casual conversation unless the situation warrants such strong language.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'condemn' too lightly, similar to 'criticize'. Remember that 'condemn' carries a much stronger weight of moral judgment or official sentencing.
Tips
Use for Strong Disapproval
Use 'condemn' when you want to express very strong disapproval, particularly for actions or situations considered morally wrong or harmful.
Avoid Casual Use
Be cautious using 'condemn' in casual conversation. Its strong meaning can sound overly harsh or dramatic if used lightly.
Formal Judgments
In formal settings like international relations or legal proceedings, 'condemn' is used to make official statements of disapproval or judgment.
Word Origin
From Latin 'condemnare', meaning 'to sentence, to doom', from 'con-' (together) + 'damnare' (to inflict harm, to sentence).
Cultural Context
In many cultures, public condemnation is a significant social or political tool used to enforce norms and express collective disapproval of certain actions or ideologies.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'con' (against) 'demn' (demon/damned) - saying something is against demons or damned, hence very bad.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions'Condemn' implies a much stronger, often moral, judgment than 'criticize'. Criticizing is pointing out flaws, while condemning is declaring something fundamentally wrong or evil.
Yes, you can condemn a policy, a practice, or even a situation if you believe it is harmful or wrong. For example, 'We condemn the unsafe conditions in the factory.'
Yes, 'condemn' always carries a negative connotation, expressing disapproval or judgment.
This is a very serious legal term meaning to sentence someone to execution as a punishment for a crime.
While possible in very specific, ironic contexts, it's generally not a word used for lighthearted humor due to its serious implications.
Opposites could include 'approve', 'endorse', 'praise', 'support', or 'acquit' (in a legal sense).
Yes, it often involves making a strong judgment about the wrongfulness of someone's actions or character.
Common synonyms include denounce, censure, criticize severely, doom, and sentence.
Test Yourself
The international community strongly ______ the recent human rights abuses.
'Condemned' fits the context of strong disapproval for human rights abuses.
What does 'condemned' mean in this sentence?
When applied to a building, 'condemned' means it has been officially declared unsafe and unfit for use.
leader / the / actions / condemned / violence / unacceptable
This sentence correctly uses 'condemned' to express strong disapproval of violence.
Score: /3
Summary
Condemn means to express strong disapproval or to officially sentence someone to a punishment.
- Strongly disapprove of something as wrong.
- Can mean to officially sentence someone to punishment.
- Often used in formal contexts like news and law.
Use for Strong Disapproval
Use 'condemn' when you want to express very strong disapproval, particularly for actions or situations considered morally wrong or harmful.
Avoid Casual Use
Be cautious using 'condemn' in casual conversation. Its strong meaning can sound overly harsh or dramatic if used lightly.
Formal Judgments
In formal settings like international relations or legal proceedings, 'condemn' is used to make official statements of disapproval or judgment.
Examples
6 of 6The United Nations condemned the country's actions.
Las Naciones Unidas condenaron las acciones del país.
The judge condemned the defendant to five years in prison.
El juez condenó al acusado a cinco años de prisión.
Many people condemn the use of animal testing.
Mucha gente condena el uso de pruebas en animales.
The building was condemned by the city council.
El edificio fue declarado en ruinas por el ayuntamiento.
I cannot condemn him for trying his best.
No puedo condenarlo por dar lo mejor de sí.
The report condemned the company's environmental impact.
El informe condenó el impacto ambiental de la empresa.
Quick Quiz
The world leaders met today to _____ the violent attacks on the city.
Correct!
The correct answer is: condemn
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This Word in Other Languages
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