Word: condemn

Associations

Condemn means to express strong disapproval of something or to declare it wrong. It’s often used when someone thinks something is bad or wrong.

• Example 1: A teacher might condemn cheating on a test. This shows strong disapproval of the action.
• Example 2: A government may condemn acts of violence. They express that they believe those actions are very wrong.
• Example 3: Many people condemn pollution, meaning they think it’s harmful and should not happen.

A well-known synonym for "condemn" is "criticize." The main difference is that "criticize" can be used in more general situations where the focus is on negative feedback, while "condemn" often implies a stronger moral judgment.

Substitution

Other words/phrases that can be used in place of "condemn" include:

• Denounce: This can mean to publicly declare something wrong, often in a more official way.
• Disapprove: This can be used when someone does not agree with something, but it isn’t as strong as "condemn."
• Censure: This is often used in an official context, like when a government or an organization issues a formal disapproval.

Deconstruction

The word "condemn" comes from the Latin root "damnare," which means "to inflict loss or harm." The prefix "con-" means "together" or "with," and "damn" is about loss or harm. In essence, to "condemn" means to bring together judgment about loss and harm.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a situation in your own life where you might feel the need to condemn an action?
• What are some issues in society today that people might condemn?
• How do you think it feels for someone to be condemned for their actions?