Definition of CENSURE (original) (raw)
1
: a judgment involving condemnation
unorthodox practices awaiting the censure of the city council
2
: the act of blaming or condemning sternly
The country faces international censure for its alleged involvement in the assassination.
3
: an official reprimand
The lawyer's misconduct resulted in a letter of censure from the judge.
1
a
: to find fault with and criticize as blameworthy
She would tell him it was … no sign of a good pastor to be eternally censuring his flock.—
Charlotte Brontë
b
: to formally reprimand (someone) : to express official censure of (someone)
While a vote to censure the president has no legal ramifications, it is a significant and rare symbolic vote of disapproval.—Emma Loop
Did you know?
If you’re among those who confuse censure and censor, we don’t blame you. The two words are notably similar in spelling and pronunciation, and both typically imply acts of authority. It’s no surprise that they share a common ancestor: the Latin cēnsēre, meaning “to give as an opinion.” But here’s the uncensored truth: despite the similarities, censure and censor are wholly distinct in meaning. Censure means “to fault or reprimand,” often in an official way; censor means “to suppress or delete as objectionable.” So if you’re talking about removing objectionable content from a book or banning it from a library, the word you want is censor. And you can use censure to talk about criticizing, condemning, or reprimanding those pushing for censorship.
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for censure
criticized the police for using violence
reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.
reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students
censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.
a Senator formally censured by his peers
reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.
reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle
condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.
condemned the government's racial policies
denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.
a pastoral letter denouncing abortion
Examples of censure in a Sentence
Noun
The country faces international censure for its alleged involvement in the assassination. a rare censure of a senator by the full United States Senate for misconduct Verb
He was censured by the committee for his failure to report the problem. a vote to censure the President for conduct that was unbecoming to his office
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The first censure also cited comments Quirk made in the media about the plan to move the rail off the Del Mar bluffs that contradicted the city’s official position. —Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025 But as part of the censure, the board barred Morris from taking part in deliberations and votes regarding the Hagekhalil investigation. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
After the council voted to note censure Sigcho-Lopez in early April, Taliaferro messaged Johnson with some dissatisfaction about Sigcho-Lopez’s remarks. —Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025 There’s no need to censure the desire to forge kinship, to lick one’s wounds, to seek respite or joy. —Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for censure 
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French censure, borrowed from Latin cēnsūa "office of censor, assessment, moral oversight," from cēnsēre "to give as an opinion, perform the duties of a censor" + -ūra -ure — more at censor entry 1
Verb
derivative of censure entry 1, probably after Middle French censurer
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4
Verb
1590, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Time Traveler
The first known use of censure was in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near censure
Cite this Entry
“Censure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/censure. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 13 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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