Have you ever come across the word “scrutinize” and wondered what it really means? While SCRUTINIZE Meaning may sound formal or difficult at first, it simply refers to looking at something very carefully to find details, problems, or mistakes. The exact meaning can depend on the sentence, context, and situation in which it is used.
Scrutinize is a verb that means to examine or inspect something closely and carefully. When you scrutinize something, you do more than take a quick look. You pay close attention to its details so you can understand, evaluate, or judge it properly.
Examples:
- The manager scrutinized the report for errors.
- She scrutinized the contract before signing it.
The confusion is understandable. People often search for what does scrutinize mean, scrutinize meaning in English, scrutinize meaning in a sentence, or how to use scrutinize correctly because the word often appears in formal writing, news articles, academic texts, and professional conversations. And here’s the kicker: scrutinize doesn’t simply mean to look at something. It suggests a careful and detailed examination.
In this guide, you’ll learn the complete SCRUTINIZE Meaning, its definition, pronunciation, synonyms, correct usage, and examples in sentences. You’ll also discover how to use scrutinize in everyday and formal situations, along with the difference between scrutinize, inspect, examine, and other similar words.
Condemn Meaning
The most common meaning of condemn is to criticize someone or something strongly, usually because you believe it is wrong or unacceptable. Dictionaries such as Oxford and Cambridge describe this as a strong expression of disapproval, often for moral reasons.
For example:
The mayor condemned the violent attack.
This doesn’t merely mean that the mayor disliked the attack. It means the mayor strongly denounced or expressed serious disapproval of it.
Here are the main meanings of condemn:
| Meaning | Explanation | Example |
| Strongly criticize | Express strong disapproval | “The organization condemned the decision.” |
| Sentence to punishment | Officially give someone a punishment | “The court condemned him to death.” |
| Force someone into an unpleasant situation | Leave someone with little or no choice | “The injury condemned him to months of recovery.” |
| Declare unsafe | Officially decide that something cannot safely be used | “Officials condemned the building.” |
| Show guilt | Provide evidence that suggests someone is guilty | “His own words condemned him.” |
The first meaning is by far the one you’ll encounter most often in everyday reading and conversation.
Condemn in Simple Words
In simple English, condemn means to strongly say that something is wrong or bad.
Think of the difference this way:
- Disagree: “I don’t agree with the decision.”
- Criticize: “I think the decision was poorly made.”
- Condemn: “The decision was completely unacceptable.”
The last statement carries considerably more force.
That’s why condemn often appears in news reports, official statements, political speeches, legal writing, and discussions involving serious wrongdoing.
What Does Condemn Mean in Different Contexts?
Context matters because condemn can move from ordinary criticism to formal legal language.
Condemn Someone or Something
When you condemn someone or something, you strongly express disapproval.
For example:
- “The community condemned the attack.”
- “She condemned the dishonest behavior.”
- “Several organizations condemned the new policy.”
- “The coach condemned the player’s actions.”
- “The newspaper condemned the decision.”
In these sentences, condemn expresses a judgment that the behavior or decision is seriously wrong.
Oxford gives the common pattern condemn somebody/something for/as something, while Cambridge also lists condemn as a strong form of criticism.
Condemn Someone to a Punishment
The word takes on a more formal meaning when it appears in the structure:
condemn + someone + to + punishment
For example:
“The court condemned the criminal to life imprisonment.”
In this use, condemn means to officially sentence someone to a punishment. Oxford lists this meaning as a synonym of sentence.
You’ll often encounter the phrase:
condemned to death
This means a person has received a death sentence. The expression is generally used in legal or historical contexts where capital punishment applies.
Condemn Someone to a Difficult Situation
Condemn can also describe being forced into an unpleasant or difficult situation.
For example:
“The injury condemned him to months of physical therapy.”
Here, nobody is literally sentencing him in court. Instead, the sentence means that his circumstances forced him to endure an unpleasant situation.
Other examples include:
- “The drought condemned the farmers to another difficult season.”
- “The injury condemned her to weeks of bed rest.”
- “Poor planning condemned the project to failure.”
Oxford identifies this use as meaning to force someone to accept a difficult or unpleasant situation.
Condemn a Building or Property
The word has a completely different but important practical meaning in property and safety contexts.
To condemn a building means that an authority officially declares it unsafe or unsuitable for use.
For example:
“The city condemned the apartment building after inspectors discovered serious structural problems.”
A condemned building may have dangerous structural damage, severe fire damage, unsafe electrical systems, serious sanitation problems, or other conditions that make continued use unlawful or unsafe. The precise rules and consequences depend on local law.
Cambridge defines this use as officially deciding that a building isn’t safe for people to use.
The word can also apply to other things considered unsafe or unfit. Oxford gives the example of meat being officially condemned as unfit to eat.
Condemn Pronunciation
The American English pronunciation of condemn is:
/kənˈdem/
You can think of it as:
kuhn-DEM
The stress falls on the second syllable.
One detail often surprises English learners: the final n is silent.
So condemn doesn’t sound like “condem-n.” The ending sounds like “dem.”
Related words have similar pronunciation patterns:
- condemn — /kənˈdem/
- condemned — /kənˈdemd/
- condemnation — /ˌkɑːn.dəmˈneɪ.ʃən/
Oxford lists the American pronunciation as /kənˈdɛm/, while Cambridge gives /kənˈdem/.
Condemn Part of Speech
Condemn is a verb.
It is normally a transitive verb, which means it generally takes an object.
For example:
“They condemned the decision.”
Here, they is the subject, condemned is the verb, and the decision is the object.
Forms of Condemn
| Form | Example |
| condemn | “I condemn the behavior.” |
| condemns | “She condemns the policy.” |
| condemned | “They condemned the action.” |
| condemning | “He is condemning the proposal.” |
Oxford lists condemned as both the simple past and past participle, while condemning is the -ing form.
How to Use Condemn in a Sentence
Once you understand the meaning, the grammar becomes fairly straightforward.
Condemn + Noun
This is one of the most common structures.
Pattern:
condemn + person/thing
Examples:
- “The government condemned the attack.”
- “She condemned his behavior.”
- “The committee condemned the proposal.”
- “The public condemned the decision.”
- “The organization condemned the violence.”
This structure works especially well when the object is an action, decision, policy, behavior, or event.
Condemn Someone for Something
You can use for to explain the reason for the condemnation.
Pattern:
condemn + someone + for + noun/gerund
Examples:
- “They condemned him for lying.”
- “The committee condemned the company for ignoring safety rules.”
- “Critics condemned the organization for misleading customers.”
This construction focuses on why someone received strong criticism.
Condemn Something as Something
Another useful pattern is:
condemn + something + as + description
Examples:
- “Critics condemned the plan as unrealistic.”
- “The organization condemned the policy as discriminatory.”
- “Officials condemned the practice as unsafe.”
Oxford specifically lists condemn somebody/something for/as something among the word’s common grammatical patterns.
Condemn Someone to Something
The formal punishment structure is:
condemn + someone + to + punishment
Examples:
- “The judge condemned him to prison.”
- “The court condemned the offender to life imprisonment.”
- “He was condemned to death.”
The passive construction is especially common:
He was condemned to death.
She was condemned to a life of hardship.
Condemn Examples
Seeing condemn in different settings makes its meaning much easier to recognize.
Everyday Examples
- I condemn that kind of behavior.
- She condemned his rude comments.
- They condemned the decision as unfair.
- The teacher condemned cheating during the exam.
- The manager condemned the employee’s dishonest conduct.
Formal Examples
- The organization publicly condemned the attack.
- The government condemned the policy as harmful.
- The report strongly condemned the company’s safety practices.
- Several officials condemned the decision.
News-Style Examples
- Leaders around the world condemned the attack.
- The organization condemned the violence in a public statement.
- The proposal was widely condemned by critics.
Notice how often the word works with adverbs such as strongly, publicly, widely, and vehemently. Oxford lists collocations including strongly, roundly, and vehemently with condemn.
Legal Examples
- The court condemned him to life imprisonment.
- The defendant was condemned to death.
- The judge condemned the convicted person to a lengthy sentence.
Property Examples
- The city condemned the building after the inspection.
- Officials condemned the structure as unsafe.
- The damaged house was condemned after the fire.
Condemn Synonyms
No synonym perfectly replaces condemn in every sentence. The best choice depends on the strength and context of the criticism.
| Synonym | What it emphasizes | Example |
| Criticize | Pointing out faults | “She criticized the decision.” |
| Denounce | Strong, often public criticism | “He denounced the policy.” |
| Censure | Formal disapproval | “The committee censured the official.” |
| Disapprove | Having a negative opinion | “I disapprove of the behavior.” |
| Blame | Holding someone responsible | “They blamed him for the mistake.” |
| Reproach | Expressing disappointment or criticism | “She reproached him for his actions.” |
| Decry | Publicly criticizing something as bad | “Activists decried the practice.” |
| Damn | Strongly judging or condemning | “Critics damned the proposal.” |
Condemn vs. Criticize
Criticize is broader and can describe anything from mild feedback to harsh disapproval.
Condemn is generally stronger.
Compare:
“The editor criticized the article for being unclear.”
This could be ordinary professional feedback.
Now consider:
“The editor condemned the article for promoting dangerous ideas.”
The second sentence suggests a much stronger moral or principled judgment.
Cambridge treats criticize as a related synonym but defines condemn as criticizing someone or something strongly, usually for moral reasons.
Condemn vs. Denounce
These two words overlap heavily.
Denounce means to criticize something or someone strongly and publicly.
Condemn can also describe public criticism, but it has additional meanings involving punishment, difficult situations, and unsafe property.
Compare:
- “The president condemned the attack.”
- “The president denounced the attack.”
Both sentences work.
However:
- “The city condemned the building.”
This use doesn’t work with denounce.
You can condemn a building because condemn has an official safety-related meaning. You can’t normally denounce a building to mean that authorities have legally declared it unsafe.
Condemn vs. Censure
Censure is a more formal word for strong official disapproval.
It often appears in institutional, political, or organizational contexts.
For example:
“The board censured the director for violating its rules.”
Condemn is broader and more common.
A government might condemn an action publicly. A formal body might censure a member through an official disciplinary process.
Condemn Antonyms
An antonym is a word with an opposite or contrasting meaning.
Common opposites of condemn include:
- Approve
- Praise
- Support
- Commend
- Applaud
- Endorse
- Accept
The exact opposite depends on the context.
For example:
“The critics condemned the proposal.”
A natural opposite would be:
“The critics approved the proposal.”
But when someone publicly expresses admiration, praise or commend may be more appropriate.
Condemn vs. Commend
These words look and sound somewhat similar, but their meanings point in opposite directions.
- Condemn = strongly disapprove
- Commend = praise or express approval
Compare:
“The committee condemned the employee’s misconduct.”
“The committee commended the employee for his honesty.”
A useful memory trick is simple:
Condemn = criticize strongly.
Commend = praise strongly.
Is Condemn a Negative Word?
Yes, condemn generally has a negative meaning when it describes criticism.
When you condemn something, you’re expressing strong disapproval of it.
For example:
“The organization condemned the abuse.”
The speaker isn’t simply observing what happened. The speaker is clearly communicating that the behavior was unacceptable.
However, the grammatical subject doesn’t have to be angry or emotional. A formal report can use condemn in a measured way:
“The committee condemned the practice as inconsistent with its ethical standards.”
The tone remains formal, but the judgment is still strongly negative.
Is Condemn Always About a Person?
No. You can condemn many different things.
You Can Condemn:
- A person
- An action
- A decision
- A policy
- A statement
- A practice
- An organization
- An event
- A building
- A piece of property
- A behavior
For example:
Person: “The committee condemned the official.”
Action: “They condemned the attack.”
Decision: “Employees condemned the decision.”
Policy: “Critics condemned the policy.”
Building: “Inspectors condemned the building.”
This flexibility is one reason the word appears across everyday English, journalism, politics, law, and public safety.
Common Phrases With Condemn
Certain combinations appear again and again in natural English.
Publicly Condemn
Publicly condemn means to express strong disapproval in a way that other people can hear, read, or otherwise observe.
“The mayor publicly condemned the violence.”
This phrase is common in news reporting and official statements.
Strongly Condemn
Strongly condemn emphasizes the seriousness of the criticism.
“The organization strongly condemned the attack.”
It works naturally in formal writing.
Widely Condemn
The more natural form is widely condemned.
“The decision was widely condemned.”
This means many people or groups strongly criticized it.
Condemn for
Use for when identifying the reason for condemnation.
“The company was condemned for ignoring safety concerns.”
Condemn as
Use as when labeling something with a negative description.
“The proposal was condemned as irresponsible.”
Condemn to Death
Condemn to death means to sentence someone to death.
“He was condemned to death after being convicted of murder.”
The phrase has a specific legal meaning and shouldn’t be confused with ordinary criticism. Oxford identifies condemn somebody to punishment as a distinct sense of the verb.
Condemn Word Forms
Learning the related forms makes it easier to use the word accurately.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example |
| Condemn | Verb | Strongly criticize or officially declare unsafe | “They condemn the practice.” |
| Condemned | Past tense/past participle/adjective | Criticized, sentenced, or declared unsafe | “The building was condemned.” |
| Condemning | Present participle/adjective | Expressing strong disapproval | “Her condemning statement was clear.” |
| Condemnation | Noun | Strong disapproval or the act of condemning | “The decision drew condemnation.” |
| Condemnatory | Adjective | Expressing condemnation | “The report took a condemnatory tone.” |
What Does Condemnation Mean?
Condemnation is the noun form of condemn.
It means an expression of very strong disapproval.
For example:
“The decision received widespread condemnation.”
In that sentence, condemnation refers to the strong criticism directed at the decision.
Cambridge defines condemnation as the act of condemning someone or something, while Oxford describes it as an expression of very strong disapproval.
Common phrases include:
- widespread condemnation
- strong condemnation
- public condemnation
- official condemnation
- international condemnation
- harsh condemnation
Condemn Meaning in Legal English
Legal English gives condemn a more specialized meaning.
In one legal sense, to condemn someone is to sentence that person to a punishment. Oxford lists this meaning as equivalent to sentence.
For example:
“The defendant was condemned to death.”
Here, condemned doesn’t simply mean criticized. It describes an official punishment.
The phrase condemned to can also appear outside criminal law when circumstances impose an unpleasant condition:
“The accident condemned him to a long recovery.”
The difference comes from context.
| Sentence | Meaning |
| “They condemned the crime.” | Strongly criticized it |
| “The court condemned him to prison.” | Sentenced him |
| “He was condemned to years of hardship.” | Forced into an unpleasant situation |
| “Officials condemned the building.” | Declared it unsafe |
That distinction is worth remembering because the same verb can carry very different implications.
Condemn Meaning in Real Estate and Property
When you hear that a building has been condemned, don’t assume it simply means someone dislikes the building.
It usually means an authority has officially determined that the structure is unsafe or unfit for its intended use.
For example:
“The old apartment building was condemned after inspectors found major structural damage.”
This is a technical use of the word rather than a statement of personal opinion.
Depending on local law, a condemned property may face restrictions on occupancy or use. The owner may need to correct dangerous conditions before people can legally occupy it. In severe cases, demolition may become necessary. The exact procedure varies by jurisdiction.
Cambridge and Oxford both recognize this safety-related meaning.
A Simple Property Example
Imagine a building with:
- Severe structural cracks
- Unsafe electrical wiring
- Major fire damage
- Dangerous floors
- Serious sanitation problems
After an official inspection, authorities may determine that people shouldn’t occupy the building.
They could condemn the building.
That is very different from saying:
“I condemn the building’s ugly design.”
The first is an official safety judgment. The second is simply strong personal criticism.
Common Mistakes When Using Condemn
Because condemn has several meanings, English learners sometimes use it too broadly.
Using Condemn When Criticize Is Better
Not every negative opinion deserves the word condemn.
For example:
“I condemn the restaurant because the soup was too salty.”
This sounds unnecessarily dramatic.
A more natural sentence would be:
“I criticized the restaurant because the soup was too salty.”
Condemn works better when the issue involves serious wrongdoing, strong moral disapproval, formal judgment, or an official decision.
Confusing Condemn With Sentence
In legal contexts, condemn can mean to sentence someone. But the words aren’t interchangeable in every situation.
You can say:
“The judge sentenced him to five years in prison.”
You can also encounter:
“He was condemned to prison.”
The second sounds more formal or literary.
In ordinary modern English, sentence is usually the more straightforward legal term.
Using Condemn for Simple Disagreement
If you simply disagree with an idea, condemn may sound too strong.
Compare:
“I disagree with her proposal.”
“I criticize her proposal.”
Each sentence becomes stronger.
The final version suggests that the proposal is not merely flawed but seriously unacceptable.
Confusing Condemn With Condone
This is one of the most important mistakes to avoid.
The words look similar, but they mean almost opposite things.
Condemn vs. Condone
Condemn means to strongly disapprove of something.
Condone means to accept or overlook behavior that is considered wrong. Oxford defines condone as accepting morally wrong behavior or treating it as though it isn’t serious.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Condemn | Strongly disapprove | “She condemned the violence.” |
| Condone | Accept or overlook wrongdoing | “She does not condone violence.” |
Here’s an easy way to remember the difference:
Condemn = “This is wrong.”
Condone = “I accept or overlook this.”
Consider this sentence:
“The school does not condone cheating.”
It means the school doesn’t accept or tolerate cheating.
Now:
“The school condemned cheating.”
This means the school strongly expressed its disapproval of cheating.
Both sentences reject the behavior, but they do so in different ways.
Condemn in Different Levels of Formality
The word condemn is more common in formal English than in casual conversation.
You might say:
“I really don’t like what he did.”
in a casual conversation.
In a formal statement, you might read:
“The organization condemns the conduct in the strongest possible terms.”
That second sentence sounds official because condemn frequently appears in institutional and public language.
Where You’ll Often See Condemn
You are especially likely to encounter the word in:
- News articles
- Government statements
- Legal writing
- Political speeches
- Academic writing
- Human rights discussions
- Corporate statements
- Religious or ethical discussions
- Public safety notices
It isn’t limited to these settings, though. You can still use it in everyday English when the situation genuinely calls for strong disapproval.
Case Study: Understanding Condemn Through Context
Consider three sentences about the same word:
The community condemned the vandalism.
The court condemned the offender to prison.
The city condemned the damaged building.
At first glance, all three sentences seem to describe something negative. Yet the meaning changes each time.
Case One: Moral Disapproval
In the first sentence, condemned means strongly criticized or expressed disapproval.
The community believes vandalism is wrong.
Case Two: Legal Punishment
In the second sentence, condemned means sentenced to punishment.
The court has an official legal role.
Case Three: Safety Decision
In the third sentence, condemned means officially declared the building unsafe.
The city is making an administrative or safety determination.
This is a good example of why you shouldn’t memorize just one definition. Context is the key that unlocks the correct meaning.
Quick Comparison: Condemn and Related Words
| Word | Basic meaning | Strength | Typical use |
| Disapprove | Have a negative opinion | Moderate | General situations |
| Criticize | Point out faults | Mild to strong | Everyday and formal |
| Condemn | Strongly reject or disapprove | Strong | Moral, public, legal contexts |
| Denounce | Strongly criticize publicly | Strong | Public statements |
| Censure | Formally express disapproval | Strong/formal | Institutions |
| Blame | Hold responsible | Varies | Mistakes and wrongdoing |
| Condone | Accept or overlook wrongdoing | Opposite direction | Ethics and behavior |
This comparison shows why replacing condemn with any random synonym can subtly change a sentence’s meaning.
Facts About the Word Condemn
Here are several useful language facts to remember:
- Condemn is a verb.
- Its American pronunciation is /kənˈdɛm/.
- The final n is silent.
- The past tense is condemned.
- The -ing form is condemning.
- The noun form is condemnation.
- Condemn can describe strong moral criticism.
- It can also describe an official legal punishment.
- It can describe being forced into an unpleasant situation.
- It can mean officially declaring a building unsafe.
- The phrase condemn to commonly introduces a punishment or difficult condition.
- The word condone has a very different meaning and should not be confused with condemn.
Frequently Asked Questions About Condemn
What does condemn mean in simple words?
Condemn means to strongly say that someone or something is wrong, bad, or unacceptable. It can also mean to sentence someone to punishment or officially declare a building unsafe.
What is an example of condemn?
A simple example is:
“The organization condemned the violent attack.”
This means the organization strongly expressed its disapproval of the attack.
Is condemn positive or negative?
Condemn is generally negative when it means to express strong disapproval. It communicates a strong negative judgment about someone, something, or an action.
What is a synonym for condemn?
Common synonyms include criticize, denounce, censure, disapprove, decry, and reproach. The best synonym depends on the sentence and the strength of the intended criticism.
What is the opposite of condemn?
Depending on the context, opposites include approve, praise, support, commend, endorse, and accept.
What does it mean to condemn someone?
It can mean to strongly criticize that person, especially for behavior considered wrong or unacceptable.
In a legal context, it can also mean to sentence someone to a punishment.
What does it mean when a house is condemned?
It means an authority has officially determined that the house is unsafe or unsuitable for use. The exact legal consequences depend on local regulations.
Is condemn the same as criticize?
Not quite. Condemn is usually stronger than criticize.
You can criticize a minor mistake. Condemn generally suggests serious disapproval or a strong judgment that something is unacceptable.
What is the difference between condemn and condone?
Condemn means strongly disapprove.
Condone means accept or overlook behavior that is considered wrong.
They are important opposites to keep straight.
What does condemned to death mean?
Condemned to death means that a person has received a death sentence. It is a formal legal expression.
Final Takeaway: What Does Condemn Mean?
The simplest condemn meaning is to strongly express disapproval of someone or something. That’s the sense you’ll encounter most often.
However, don’t stop there. Condemn has several important meanings:
- Strong criticism: “They condemned the attack.”
- Legal punishment: “He was condemned to death.”
- An unpleasant situation: “She was condemned to years of hardship.”
- Unsafe property: “Officials condemned the building.”
The word is especially useful when ordinary criticism isn’t strong enough to capture the speaker’s judgment. If someone criticizes a decision, they may simply point out its flaws. If they condemn it, they’re making a much stronger statement: they believe the decision is seriously wrong or unacceptable.
And remember the word that causes the most confusion: condone. To condemn something is to reject it strongly. To condone something is to accept or overlook it.
Once you understand that distinction, along with the different contexts in which condemn appears, the word becomes much easier to recognize and use accurately.
