What does condemnation mean?
Condemnation is the act of expressing strong, formal disapproval of a person, action, or thing judged to be wrong, harmful, or unacceptable. It is most often heard in public and political life: governments issue condemnations of attacks, organizations voice condemnation of unjust laws, and communities respond to scandals with collective censure. Beyond moral judgement, the word has practical senses — a building may face condemnation when officials declare it unsafe, and in legal contexts it denotes the pronouncement that someone is guilty. The word comes from the Latin verb 'damnare', meaning to inflict loss or pronounce a penalty, which also gives us 'damn' and 'damnation'. Condemnation is inherently negative in connotation and carries more gravity than mere criticism; it signals a settled verdict rather than an opinion still open to debate.
The act of expressing strong disapproval or censure of someone or something.
"The senator's remarks were met with immediate condemnation from across the political spectrum."
Often used in journalistic and diplomatic language, frequently in the phrase 'met with widespread condemnation'.
An official declaration that something, especially a building, is unfit for use or dangerous.
"Following the inspection, the apartment block faced condemnation by the city authorities."
The plural is used when referring to multiple acts or expressions of condemnation, often issued by different bodies.
"The treaty violations drew condemnations from several neighboring governments."
The word 'condemnation' and the word 'damage' are distant cousins — both trace back to the Latin 'damnum', meaning loss or harm inflicted by a judge's verdict.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of condemnation
Condemnation derives from the Latin verb 'damnare', meaning to inflict loss upon or pronounce a judicial penalty against someone, itself rooted in the noun 'damnum' (loss, harm). It entered English via Old French 'condempnacion' in the late Middle Ages, initially carrying strongly religious and legal overtones of divine judgement and formal sentencing. Over time its use broadened to cover any forceful public denunciation. It shares its Latin root with words such as 'damnation', 'indemnity', and 'damage'.
Related word forms
How condemnation is actually used
Condemnation carries a serious, formal register — it implies moral weight rather than casual dislike. In everyday speech it often appears in political and journalistic contexts, typically in phrases like 'widespread condemnation' or 'met with condemnation'. It is stronger than criticism or disapproval and suggests a definitive verdict.
Easily confused with condemnation
Damnation refers specifically to eternal punishment or divine condemnation to hell, whereas condemnation is any expression of strong disapproval, whether legal, moral, or social.