condemn

To say strongly that someone or something is wrong or very bad.

• We condemn all violence.
• The mayor condemned the attack yesterday.
• Several leaders have condemned the decision as cruel.

How to use it: condemn someone/something for something (The report condemned the company for ignoring safety rules.); condemn something as something (They condemned the policy as unfair.)

Similar words: denounce, criticize, censure

Opposites: praise, approve

Common phrases: condemn violence, condemn someone for, strongly condemn something

To officially decide that a building is unsafe and must no longer be used.

• Inspectors may condemn the house.
• The building was condemned after the fire.
• Officials condemned three unsafe apartment blocks last month.

Common phrases: condemn a building, condemn a house

To punish someone forever after death, according to a religious belief.

• They believed God would condemn wicked souls.
• The preacher warned that sinners could be condemned to hell.
• In the poem, the spirit is condemned forever.

How to use it: condemn someone to something (The story describes a soul condemned to eternal punishment.)

Opposites: save

Common phrases: condemn to hell, condemn a soul, condemn someone to