Condemn Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of CONDEMN

[+ object]

1

:

to say in a strong and definite way that someone or something is bad or wrong

• We strongly condemn this attack against our allies.
• The government condemns all acts of terrorism.
• The country condemns the use of violence on prisoners.
• The school condemns cheating, and any student caught cheating will be expelled.

— often + for

• People are condemning him for supporting the old government.
• Voters condemned her for lying about her past.

— often + as

• They were condemned as criminals/heretics/rebels/traitors.
• The policy was condemned as racist.

2

a

:

to give (someone) a usually severe punishment

— usually + to

• The jury quickly convicted her and condemned [=_sentenced_] her to death.

— often used as (be) condemned

• She was condemned to death.
• a condemned man [=a man who has been sentenced to death]

b

:

to cause (someone) to suffer or live in difficult or unpleasant conditions

— + to

• His lack of education condemned him to a life of poverty.

— often used as (be) condemned

• She was condemned to [=forced to live] a life of loneliness and suffering.

3

:

to close (a building, house, etc.) for not being safe or clean enough for people to use

• City officials condemned our apartment building and forced us to leave.

— often used as (be) condemned

• The houses were condemned after floods caused extensive damage.
• The condemned building was torn down.