Censure Definition: Official Criticism with Examples

Meaning 1：officially criticize (censure)

censure 🔊

/ˈsɛnʃər/

vt.

to officially and strongly criticize someone for doing something wrong.

Censure official criticism political cartoon illustration

officially criticize 🔊

➕

/əˈfɪʃəli ˈkrɪtɪsaɪz/

vt.

To express strong official disapproval of someone's actions or behavior, often through a formal vote or statement.

📁 Category：Countries & Government 🔖 Level：advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'censura' (judgment), derived from 'censere' (to assess, estimate).

💡 Mnemonic

Censure sounds like 'sensor' — a sensor detects faults and 'censors' them with criticism.

📖 Example

The UN General Assembly voted to censure the country for its human rights violations. 🔊 The UN General Assembly voted to express official strong criticism against the country for its human rights violations.

🔗 Collocations

censure someone for something – to officially criticize someone because of a specific action

face censure – to receive or be subject to official criticism

vote to censure – to make a formal decision to criticize

🔄 Synonyms

condemn (vt.) – to express strong disapproval, often in a formal or judicial context

criticize (vt.) – to indicate faults or express disapproval in a less formal way

reprimand (vt.) – to formally and severely criticize someone, especially in a workplace or official setting

🚫 Antonyms

praise (vt.) – to express warm approval or admiration

commend (vt.) – to formally praise someone for their actions

approve (vt.) – to officially agree with or accept something

🌱 Derivatives

censurable (adj.) – deserving of official criticism

uncensured (adj.) – not subjected to official criticism

censurer (n.) – a person who officially criticizes

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Roman 'censor', an official who assessed public morals. By the 16th century, 'censure' evolved to mean formal official criticism.