verb

condemn

kuhn-DEHM

verb

To strongly criticise something as wrong or unacceptable.

"World leaders condemned the attack as an act of terrorism."

"The charity condemned the government's new policy on refugees."

To officially declare a building unsafe for use.

"The old warehouse was condemned after the inspection found structural cracks."

To sentence someone to a punishment, especially death.

"He was condemned to life imprisonment for the crime."

How to Use Condemn

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo strongly disapprove of something publicly, to officially declare something unfit for use, or to sentence someone.

Common pairings

condemn an attack condemned building condemn to death

condemned past tense, condemns singular

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Can you complete this real example?

World leaders _____ the attack as an act of terrorism.

From Old French condamner, from Latin condemnare ("to sentence, blame"), from com- plus damnare ("to condemn, harm"), from damnum ("damage, loss").