condemn

verb

kuhn-DEM/kənˈdɛm/

12 meanings of condemn

1
verbtransitive
To say strongly that someone or something is very wrong or bad.
Like booing loudly to show you think something is very wrong.
Many leaders condemn the use of violence against children.
The mayor condemned the attack in a public statement.
Similardenounce, criticize, censure, deplore, decry
Oppositepraise, commend, applaud, endorse
Note
2
verbtransitive
To officially decide in court that someone is guilty.
The court condemned the thief after hearing all the evidence.
A jury can condemn a person only when guilt is proven.
Similarconvict
Oppositeacquit, exonerate, clear
3
verbfigurativelytransitive
To make sure someone or something will suffer a bad fate.
Like a small leak that is sure to sink a boat in the end.
Poor planning condemned the project to failure.
One careless mistake can condemn a team to defeat.
Similardoom, consign, destine, sentence
Oppositesave, spare
Note
4
verbtransitive
To officially say in court what punishment a guilty person will get.
The judge condemned the prisoner to ten years in jail.
A court may condemn someone to pay a heavy fine.
Similarsentence
Oppositereprieve, pardon
Note
5
verbtransitive
To officially say that something cannot be used safely anymore.
Like putting a big red 'do not use' sticker on something broken.
Inspectors condemned the old playground equipment as dangerous.
The agency can condemn any product that fails its safety tests.
Note
6
verbtransitive
To officially say that a building is not safe for people to live in.
The city condemned the burned house as unsafe to live in.
Officials can condemn any home with serious structural damage.
Note
7
verbtransitive
To officially say that food or drink is not safe to eat or drink.
Inspectors condemned the spoiled meat at the market.
Health officers can condemn any food kept at unsafe temperatures.
Similarreject
Oppositeapprove, pass
8
verbtransitive
To send someone to suffer forever as a punishment from God.
They believed God would condemn the wicked to eternal punishment.
The old sermons said that greed condemned many souls to hell.
Similardamn, doom
Oppositesave, redeem, absolve
9
verbtransitive
To officially take private land so it can be used by the public.
The state condemned several farms to build the new highway.
A city can condemn private land for a public park.
Similarexpropriate, appropriate, seize, requisition
10
verbtransitive
To officially say that building work is too poor and must be done again.
The inspector condemned the new wiring and ordered it replaced.
Officials can condemn shoddy work that breaks the building code.
Similarreject, fail
Oppositeapprove, pass, accept
11
verbtransitive
To officially say that a ship is not fit to sail anymore.
The navy condemned the old ship after the inspection.
Surveyors can condemn a boat that is no longer safe at sea.
Note
12
verbtransitive
To officially take a captured ship and give it to the government.
The court condemned the smuggling ship as government property.
A prize court can condemn an enemy vessel taken in wartime.
Similarconfiscate
Oppositerelease
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin condemnare, meaning 'to sentence or blame', built from com- plus damnare ('to harm or condemn'), which came through Old French into English.