condemned: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, legal, literary
Quick answer
What does “condemned” mean?
To express strong disapproval of someone or something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To express strong disapproval of someone or something; to sentence someone to a punishment, especially death.
Declared unfit for use or habitation; destined to a terrible fate or outcome.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal differences in meaning or usage. In legal contexts, both use similarly, but American English might use 'condemned' more frequently in property law (e.g., condemned building).
Connotations
Similar connotations of strong disapproval or doom.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English in contexts like 'condemned property'.
Grammar
How to Use “condemned” in a Sentence
condemn someone to somethingcondemn something as somethingcondemn someone for somethingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “condemned” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The magistrate condemned the vandal to community service.
American English
- The jury condemned the defendant to life without parole.
adverb
British English
- She glanced condemningly at the litter on the pavement.
American English
- He nodded condemningly during the testimony.
adjective
British English
- The dilapidated theatre was condemned and slated for redevelopment.
American English
- The city condemned the apartment complex due to code violations.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; if so, in contexts like 'the project was condemned as a failure.'
Academic
Used in legal, ethical, or historical discussions, e.g., 'the regime was condemned by international scholars.'
Everyday
Less common; might be used in news or serious conversations, e.g., 'He was condemned for his rude behavior.'
Technical
In law, refers to official sentencing; in engineering, refers to structures declared unsafe.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “condemned”
- Using 'condemned' as a noun (it's primarily verb/adjective); correct: 'the condemned man' not 'the condemned' as a noun alone.
- Confusing 'condemned' with 'sentenced'; 'condemned' often implies death penalty or strong moral judgment.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be used for objects or actions, e.g., a condemned building or condemned behavior.
Rarely; it almost always implies negative judgment or outcome.
'Condemned' is stronger and often implies moral or official disapproval, while 'criticized' can be milder.
As a verb: 'They condemned his actions.' As an adjective: 'He lived in a condemned house.'
To express strong disapproval of someone or something.
Condemned is usually formal, legal, literary in register.
Condemned: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈdɛmd/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈdɛmd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “condemned out of hand”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'condemned' as 'con-DEMN-ed' – DEMN sounds like 'damn', which relates to strong disapproval.
Conceptual Metaphor
JUDGMENT IS CONDEMNATION; MORAL FAILURE IS A CONDITION TO BE CONDEMNED.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'condemned' typically imply in a legal context?