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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Condemn: Meaning, Examples, and Usage (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：denounce publicly (condemn)

condemn 🔊

/kənˈdɛm/

vt.

To say something is very wrong or bad, often in a strong public way.

Condemn public denouncement scene with people holding signs

denounce publicly 🔊

➕

/dɪˈnaʊns ˈpʌblɪkli/

vt.

To express severe disapproval of something or someone, often in a formal or public manner.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'condemnare': 'com-' (intensive) + 'damnare' (to cause loss).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a judge saying 'CON-DEMN you!' as the gavel falls.

📖 Example

Many environmental groups condemn the company for polluting the river. 🔊 Numerous environmental organizations strongly criticize the company for contaminating the river.

🔗 Collocations

condemn sb/sth for sth – To express strong disapproval of someone or something due to a specific action

condemn sth as wrong – To declare something morally unacceptable

publicly condemn – To disapprove in a public forum

🔄 Synonyms

denounce (vt.) – To publicly criticize something or someone as being wrong or evil

criticize (vt.) – To express disapproval of someone or something

censure (vt.) – To express strong disapproval of someone's actions, often officially

🚫 Antonyms

praise (vt.) – To express strong approval or admiration

commend (vt.) – To praise officially or formally

applaud (vt.) – To express approval, especially by clapping

🌱 Derivatives

condemnation (n.) – The act of condemning someone or something

condemnatory (adj.) – Expressing strong disapproval

condemned (adj.) – Pronounced guilty; sentenced to punishment

📖 Cultural Story

Evolved from Latin 'condemnare' used in Roman courts for official sentencing. Entered English via Old French in the 14th century, retaining legal and moral judgment senses.

Meaning 2：sentence to punishment (condemn)

condemn 🔊

/kənˈdɛm/

vt.

To officially decide and say that someone must receive a punishment, especially in a court of law.

Condemn legal sentencing judge with gavel in courtroom

sentence to punishment 🔊

➕

/ˈsɛntəns tə ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/

vt.

To pronounce a legal judgment against someone, specifying a penalty (such as imprisonment or death).

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The judge will condemn the driver to several years in prison for causing the fatal accident. 🔊 The court will sentence the driver to multiple years of imprisonment because he caused the deadly accident.

🔗 Collocations

condemn sb to death – To officially sentence someone to die as punishment

condemn sb to life imprisonment – To sentence someone to spend the rest of their life in prison

condemn sb for a crime – To pronounce someone guilty of a crime and assign a penalty

🔄 Synonyms

sentence (vt.) – To officially state the punishment for a convicted criminal

convict (vt.) – To declare someone guilty of a crime in a court of law

doom (vt.) – To condemn to a terrible fate (often figuratively)

🚫 Antonyms

acquit (vt.) – To declare someone not guilty of a charge

pardon (vt.) – To release someone from the legal consequences of a crime

exonerate (vt.) – To clear someone from blame

🌱 Derivatives

condemnation (n.) – The act of condemning someone or something

condemnatory (adj.) – Expressing strong disapproval

condemned (adj.) – Pronounced guilty; sentenced to punishment