Condemning
/kənˈdɛmɪnɪŋ/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo express complete disapproval of; censure.
/kənˈdɛmɪn/
Expressing strong disapproval of someone or something.
The international community condemned the attack.
💡 Simply: Imagine you see someone littering. Condemning them would be like loudly saying, "That's wrong! You shouldn't do that!" It's like telling everyone you strongly disagree with something.
👶 For kids: Saying something is very, very bad and that you don't like it.
More Examples
She condemned his behavior as irresponsible.
The newspaper's editorial strongly condemned the politician's corruption.
How It's Used
"The judge is condemning the defendant."
"The public is condemning the company's actions."
To pronounce a sentence against (someone) or to give judgment against.
/kənˈdɛmɪn/
Pronouncing someone guilty of a crime or wrongdoing and imposing a sentence.
The court condemned him to death.
💡 Simply: Imagine a judge. If they say, "I condemn this person," it means they found the person guilty of breaking the law and are giving them a punishment, like jail time.
👶 For kids: Saying someone did something wrong and giving them a punishment.
More Examples
After the trial, the judge condemned the thief.
The guilty party was condemned for their actions.
How It's Used
"The jury condemned the murderer to life in prison."
To officially declare (a building or piece of land) to be unsafe or unfit for use.
/kənˈdɛmɪn/
To declare a building or property unfit for use.
The government condemned the old factory.
💡 Simply: Imagine a really old, broken-down house. If the city says it’s not safe for people to live in, they condemn it, meaning they officially declare it off-limits.
👶 For kids: Saying a building is too broken to use.
More Examples
The city condemned several houses due to structural damage.
The building was condemned after the fire.
How It's Used
"The city condemned the dilapidated building."
Idioms & expressions
condemn to oblivion
To cause something to be forgotten or disregarded; to destroy or ruin something completely.
"The scandal condemned his career to oblivion."
From Middle English *condemnen*, from Old French *condemner* (to condemn, sentence), from Latin *condemnāre* (to condemn), from *con-* (with, together) + *damnāre* (to condemn, damn).
The word "condemn" has been used in legal and moral contexts since at least the 14th century.
Memory tip
Think of "damning." To condemn is to essentially declare something wrong and subject to punishment (though often just verbal reprimand).