Condemn
/kənˈdem/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo express complete disapproval of; to pronounce guilty; to sentence to a punishment.
/kənˈdem/
To express strong disapproval of.
The international community strongly condemned the attack.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone did something wrong, and everyone, including you, is saying they really don't like it. Like, "That's so unfair! I condemn it!"
👶 For kids: To say something is very, very bad, and you don't like it at all.
More Examples
The teacher condemned the student's disrespectful behavior.
Historians condemn slavery as a barbaric practice.
The jury condemned the accused murderer.
How It's Used
"The public condemned the government's new policy."
"The judge condemned the defendant to life in prison."
To pronounce someone guilty and sentence them to a punishment; to doom someone to a particular fate.
/kənˈdem/
To sentence someone to a particular punishment, especially death.
The prisoner was condemned to life in prison.
💡 Simply: When a judge decides someone has to be punished, they are condemning that person. Like, "The judge condemned the robber to jail!"
👶 For kids: To give someone a punishment because they did something bad.
More Examples
The court condemned the building due to safety violations.
The explorer felt condemned to wander the desert forever.
She was condemned to failure due to her lack of effort.
How It's Used
"The court condemned him to death by hanging."
"He was condemned to a life of solitude."
To declare a building or structure unsafe or unfit for use and prevent its further use.
/kənˈdem/
To officially declare a building or structure unsafe or unfit for use.
The city condemned the old factory after the fire.
💡 Simply: When a building is unsafe, the city says it can't be used anymore. They're condemning it. Like when a house is falling apart and is no longer safe to live in.
👶 For kids: To say a building is broken and nobody can use it anymore because it's not safe.
More Examples
The health inspector condemned the restaurant due to unsanitary conditions.
The house was condemned because of structural issues.
The authorities had to condemn the area after the chemical spill.
How It's Used
"The city condemned the dilapidated building."
Idioms & expressions
condemn to...
To sentence or doom someone to a particular fate or situation.
"The shipwrecked survivors were condemned to a life on a deserted island."
From Latin *condemnāre* 'to declare guilty, blame', from *com-* (intensive prefix) + *damnāre* 'to damage, condemn'.
Used since the 14th century, often in religious or legal contexts to express disapproval or declare guilt.
Memory tip
Think of someone holding a *dam* and saying "Con-*dem*!" which relates to causing damage or pronouncing someone guilty.