condemnation
C1Formal, Academic, Legal, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
The expression of very strong disapproval or censure; a formal statement that something or someone is wrong or bad.
In law, the official declaration that something (e.g., a building) is unfit for use, or the act of seizing private property for public use (eminent domain). In religion, the act of being condemned to eternal punishment.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically implies a formal, authoritative, or public judgment of severe disapproval, often with moral overtones. Carries a sense of finality and moral force.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In legal contexts, 'condemnation' in the US is strongly associated with the government taking private property for public use (eminent domain). This specific legal sense is less prominent in general UK usage, though understood.
Connotations
UK usage may lean slightly more towards moral/ethical censure; US usage is more frequently linked to concrete legal or property actions.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties in formal/written contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
condemnation of [entity/action]condemnation for [action/reason]condemnation from [source]condemnation over [issue]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a chorus of condemnation”
- “to be met with universal condemnation”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in contexts like 'The report drew condemnation from shareholders.'
Academic
Common in political science, ethics, law, and history texts to describe moral or political judgments.
Everyday
Used in news reports and formal discussions about societal disapproval of actions, policies, or events.
Technical
Specific legal term (especially US) for the process of taking private property for public use via eminent domain.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council voted to condemn the unsafe block of flats.
- Leaders were quick to condemn the violent protests.
American English
- The city moved to condemn the property for the new highway.
- The senator condemned the bill as unconstitutional.
adverb
British English
- He spoke condemnatorily of their actions.
American English
- She looked at him condemnatorily.
adjective
British English
- The condemned man awaited his fate.
- They entered the condemned building at their own risk.
American English
- The condemned property was slated for demolition.
- Her condemnatory tone was noted in the minutes.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher's condemnation of cheating was very clear.
- There was widespread condemnation of the attack in the newspapers.
- The president's statement amounted to a unequivocal condemnation of the regime's human rights record.
- The court's condemnation of the company's environmental practices set a significant legal precedent.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CONDEMNed building with a sign on it. The ATION makes it the noun form — the *act* or *result* of condemning.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONDEMNATION IS A VERDICT / CONDEMNATION IS A WEIGHT (e.g., 'a heavy condemnation', 'under condemnation').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'кондоминация' (which isn't a common Russian word). The root is 'condemn' (осуждать), not 'condom'.
- The Russian 'осуждение' can be lighter/more everyday; English 'condemnation' is typically stronger and more formal.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing the silent 'n' before the 'm' as /n/ (it's /ˌkɒn.dəm-/).
- Misspelling as 'condemnation' (common) or 'condemnition'.
- Using in overly informal contexts where 'criticism' would suffice.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'condemnation' used in its most specific American legal sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it always expresses strong disapproval or a negative judgment. In law, it's neutral-procedural but still has a negative outcome for the property owner.
Criticism can be constructive or mild. Condemnation is always severe, final, and morally charged, implying something is wholly wrong or unacceptable.
'Condemn' is the action verb; 'condemnation' is the noun naming the act or result of condemning.
Yes, particularly in Christianity, it can refer to the state of being eternally punished for sin (e.g., 'fear of condemnation').
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