condemn

UK: /kənˈdɛm/ US: /kənˈdɛm/ ,(kən dem′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

con•demn /kənˈdɛm/   v. [~ + object]

1. to express an unfavorable judgment or opinion of; declare as unacceptable:
   condemned the invasion but took no action.
2. to sentence to punishment, esp. a severe punishment: [~ + object + to + object]
   to condemn a murderer to death.
   [~ + object + to + verb]
   She was condemned to die.
3. [~ + object + to + object] to force into a specified, usually unhappy state:
   His lack of education may condemn him to a life of poverty.
4. to give grounds for convicting:
   His acts condemn him.
5. to judge or declare (a property, etc.) to be unfit for use or service:
   The inspectors finally condemned that old building.

con•dem•na•tion /ˌkɑndɛmˈneɪʃən/  n. 

[uncountable] Condemnation of the invasion came swiftly.

[countable] His condemnations of the terrorists were insincere.

con•dem•na•to•ry /kənˈdɛmnəˌtɔri/  adj.: 

a condemnatory speech.

con•demn•er /kənˈdɛmɚ/  con•dem•nor /kənˈdɛmɚ, -dɛmˈnɔr/  n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

con•demn  (kən dem′), v.t. 

1. to express an unfavorable or adverse judgment on; indicate strong disapproval of;
   censure.
2. to pronounce to be guilty;
   sentence to punishment:
   to condemn a murderer to life imprisonment.
3. to give grounds or reason for convicting or censuring:
   His acts condemn him.
4. to judge or pronounce to be unfit for use or service:
   to condemn an old building.
5. Law [U.S. Law.] to acquire ownership of for a public purpose, under the right of eminent domain:
   The city condemned the property.
6. to force into a specific state or activity:
   His lack of education condemned him to a life of menial jobs.
7. to declare incurable.

• Latin condemnāre. See con-, damn
• Anglo-French, Old French condem(p)ner
• Middle English condempnen 1350–1400

con•dem•na•ble  (kən dem′nə bəl), adj.  con•dem′na•bly, adv. 
con•demn•er  (kən dem′ər), con•dem•nor  (kən dem′ər, kən dem nôr′), n.  con•demn′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. See blame. 

Antonyms

• 2. exonerate, liberate.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

condemn / kənˈdɛm/ verb (transitive)

1. to express strong disapproval of; censure
2. to pronounce judicial sentence on
3. to demonstrate the guilt of: his secretive behaviour condemned him
4. to judge or pronounce unfit for use: that food has been condemned
5. to compel or force into a particular state or activity: his disposition condemned him to boredom

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French condempner, from Latin condemnāre, from damnāre to condemn; see damn

condemnable / kənˈdɛməb^əl/ adjective

ˌcondemˈnation noun