Condemned
/kənˈdemd/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo express complete disapproval of, typically in public; to pronounce judgment against; to sentence to a particular punishment.
/kənˈdem/
To express strong disapproval of something.
The public condemned the company for its unethical practices.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone does something wrong. To condemn something is to say, 'That's bad! I strongly disapprove!' Like if your friend steals cookies, you might condemn their action.
👶 For kids: To say something is very, very bad and wrong.
More Examples
The judge condemned the murderer to life in prison.
The school condemned the use of cell phones during class.
How It's Used
"The international community condemned the actions of the dictator."
"Many people condemn acts of violence."
To pronounce a legal sentence on (a criminal); to officially declare unfit for use or consumption.
/kənˈdem/
To sentence someone to a particular punishment.
The jury condemned the accused man to life imprisonment.
💡 Simply: If a judge says you have to go to jail, they condemn you to a certain sentence.
👶 For kids: To tell someone they have to be punished.
More Examples
The building was condemned due to structural issues.
The food was condemned because it was spoiled.
How It's Used
"The court condemned the defendant to death."
"The judge condemned him to five years in prison."
Idioms & expressions
condemned to oblivion
To be forgotten or disappear entirely.
"His early works, unfortunately, were condemned to oblivion by his later fame."
condemned to die
Being sentenced to death or facing a certain death.
"The prisoner was condemned to die by the court."
From Middle English *condemnen*, from Old French *condemner*, from Latin *condemnāre* ("to condemn, blame"), from *com-* ("together") + *damnāre* ("to damn, condemn").
Used in legal and religious contexts for centuries to express judgments and pronouncements.
Memory tip
Think of the word 'damn.' When you condemn something, you're essentially saying it's 'damned' or unacceptable.