condemn
To say strongly that something is wrong or bad.
condemn in a sentence
- The headteacher was quick to condemn the bullying.
- Everyone in the village would condemn anyone who harmed the swans.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to condemn?
- Aapprove
- Bpraise
- Ccriticise
Show the answer
C: criticise. The other three mean the opposite of condemn.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to condemn?
- Apraise
- Bdenounce
- Ccriticise
Show the answer
A: praise. The other three mean nearly the same as condemn.
Words that mean something similar
criticise, denounce
Words that mean the opposite
praise, approve
More words about speech & sound
- confer: To give someone an award, title or honour, or to talk something over with others.
- confide: To tell someone a secret because you trust them.
- contest: To argue that something is wrong or unfair and try to change it.
- contradict: To say the opposite of what someone else has said.
- convey: To carry something somewhere, or to make a feeling or idea known.
- curt: Using so few words that you seem rude.
- din: A loud, unpleasant noise that goes on for a long time.
- disclose: To make known something that was secret or hidden.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test