con·demn
(kən-dĕm′)tr.v. con·demned,
con·demn·ing,
con·demns 1. To express strong disapproval of:
condemned the needless waste of food. See Synonyms at
criticize.
2. To pronounce judgment against; sentence: condemned the felons to prison.
3. To judge or declare to be unfit for use or consumption, usually by official order: condemn an old building.
4. To force (someone) to experience, endure, or do something: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (George Santayana).
5. To lend credence to or provide evidence for an adverse judgment against: were condemned by their actions.
6. Law To appropriate (property) for public use.
[Middle English condemnen, from Old French condemner, from Latin condemnāre : com-, intensive pref.; see com- + damnāre, to sentence (from damnum, penalty).]
con·dem′na·ble (-dĕm′nə-bəl) adj.
con·dem′na·to′ry (-nə-tôr′ē) adj.
con·demn′er (-dĕm′ər), con·dem′nor (-dĕm′ər, -dĕm-nôr′) n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.