condemn

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to say strongly that something is wrong or that you disapprove of it

   World leaders condemned the attack.

2. 2
   verb

   to give someone a punishment in a court of law

   The judge condemned him to ten years in prison.

3. 3
   verb

   to officially declare a building unsafe to use

   The old factory was condemned by the inspector.

4. 4
   verb

   to force someone into an unpleasant situation they cannot escape

   Poverty condemned many children to a life without schooling.

From Middle English condempnen, from Old French condamner, from Latin condemnāre (“to sentence, condemn, blame”), from com- + damnāre (“to harm, condemn, damn”), from damnum (“damage, injury, loss”). Displaced native Middle English fordemen (from Old English fordeman (“condemn, sentence, doom”) > Modern English fordeem.

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