Condemn vs. Denounce — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 12, 2024
Condemn generally refers to expressing strong disapproval, often with an implication of a need for punishment, while denounce means to publicly declare something or someone as wrong or evil.
Difference Between Condemn and Denounce
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Key Differences
Condemn is used predominantly to express complete disapproval, typically in a formal, legal, or moral context. It implies that there are consequences for the condemned action or behavior, such as legal penalties or social ostracism. On the other hand, denounce is to publicly declare something as reprehensible or evil, focusing more on vocal and public disapproval without necessarily implying subsequent penalties.
While condemn can apply to both legal judgments and moral disapproval (like condemning a building or condemning someone's actions), denounce is used specifically for public or formal statements against a particular action, individual, or idea. For instance, political figures might denounce a policy or action taken by opponents or other countries.
Condemnation carries a heavier, often more personal tone, suggesting a strong moral stance. For example, a court condemns a criminal to a sentence, reflecting not only disapproval but also enacting a punitive response. Denouncement, however, may not carry direct legal consequences but serves as a strong expression of disagreement, often used to influence public perception or to rally opposition.
In usage, when one condemns, they are often seen as taking a stance that has or seeks authority—judicial, moral, or societal. In contrast, to denounce can be done by anyone regardless of authority and often serves to align oneself with or against a specific ethical, social, or political stance.
The act of condemning is more associated with an outcome or the anticipation of one, such as a sentence, a sanction, or a formal disapproval that affects one's status or rights. Whereas denouncing is mainly aimed at influencing opinion or behavior, potentially as a precursor to official actions or to steer public discourse.
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Comparison Chart
Implication
Legal or moral penalty
Public disapproval
Usage Context
Legal, formal, moral judgment
Public, political statements
Consequences
Often involves penalties
Mainly social or political
Authority Level
Implies higher authority
Can be done by anyone
Outcome
Direct impact (legal/social)
Influences perceptions/attitudes
Compare with Definitions
Condemn
To express complete disapproval of, typically in public.
The jury condemned his actions as unlawful.
Denounce
Often used in political or social contexts.
Activists denounce the new law as discriminatory.
Condemn
Often associated with legal penalties or sanctions.
The old building was condemned as unsafe.
Denounce
Does not imply direct legal consequences.
The official denounced the corruption, calling for an investigation.
Condemn
Results in direct consequences or censure.
He was condemned to ten years in prison.
Denounce
Publicly declare to be wrong or evil.
The leader denounced the terrorist attacks in strong terms.
Condemn
Express complete disapproval of; censure
The plan was condemned by campaigners
Most leaders roundly condemned the attack
Denounce
Focuses on rallying public opinion.
The speech was used to denounce the opponent’s policy.
Condemn
Sentence (someone) to a particular punishment, especially death
The rebels had been condemned to death
Denounce
To condemn openly as being wrong or reprehensible.
Condemn
To express strong disapproval of
Condemned the needless waste of food.
Denounce
To inform against (someone); accuse publicly.
Condemn
To pronounce judgment against; sentence
Condemned the felons to prison.
Denounce
To give formal announcement of the ending of (a treaty).
Condemn
To judge or declare to be unfit for use or consumption, usually by official order
Condemn an old building.
Denounce
To make known in a formal manner; to proclaim; to announce; to declare.
Condemn
To force (someone) to experience, endure, or do something
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (George Santayana).
Denounce
(transitive) To criticize or speak out against (someone or something); to point out as deserving of reprehension, etc.; to openly accuse or condemn in a threatening manner; to invoke censure upon; to stigmatize; to blame.
To denounce someone as a swindler, or as a coward
Condemn
To lend credence to or provide evidence for an adverse judgment against
Were condemned by their actions.
Denounce
(transitive) To make a formal or public accusation against; to inform against; to accuse.
To denounce a confederate in crime
To denounce someone to the authorities
Condemn
(Law) To appropriate (property) for public use.
Denounce
To proclaim in a threatening manner; to threaten by some outward sign or expression; make a menace of.
To denounce war; to denounce punishment
Condemn
(transitive) To strongly criticise or denounce; to excoriate the perpetrators of.
The president condemned the terrorists.
Denounce
(transitive) To announce the termination of; especially a treaty or armistice.
Condemn
(transitive) To judicially pronounce (someone) guilty.
Denounce
To claim the right of working a mine that is abandoned or insufficiently worked.
Condemn
(transitive) To judicially announce a verdict upon a finding of guilt; To sentence
The judge condemned him to death.
She was condemned to life in prison.
Denounce
To make known in a solemn or official manner; to declare; to proclaim (especially an evil).
Denouncing wrath to come.
I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish.
Condemn
(transitive) To confer eternal divine punishment upon.
Denounce
To proclaim in a threatening manner; to threaten by some outward sign or expression.
His look denounced desperate.
Condemn
(transitive) To adjudge (a building) as being unfit for habitation.
The house was condemned after it was badly damaged by fire.
Denounce
To point out as deserving of reprehension or punishment, etc.; to accuse in a threatening manner; to invoke censure upon; to stigmatize.
Denounced for a heretic.
To denounce the immoralities of Julius Cæsar.
Condemn
(transitive) To adjudge (building or construction work) as of unsatisfactory quality, requiring the work to be redone.
Denounce
Speak out against;
He denounced the Nazis
Condemn
(transitive) To adjudge (food or drink) as being unfit for human consumption.
Denounce
To accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful;
He denounced the government action
She was stigmatized by society because she had a child out of wedlock
Condemn
To declare something to be unfit for use, or further use.
Denounce
Announce the termination of, as of treaties
Condemn
(transitive) To determine and declare (property) to be assigned to public use. See eminent domain.
Denounce
Give away information about somebody;
He told on his classmate who had cheated on the exam
Condemn
To declare (a vessel) to be forfeited to the government, to be a prize, or to be unfit for service.
Denounce
Aimed at influencing or changing behavior.
She denounced the company's practices to encourage better regulations.
Condemn
To pronounce to be wrong; to disapprove of; to censure.
Condemn the fault, and not the actor of it!Why, every fault's condemned ere it be done.
Wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
Condemn
To declare the guilt of; to make manifest the faults or unworthiness of; to convict of guilt.
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it.
Condemn
To pronounce a judicial sentence against; to sentence to punishment, suffering, or loss; to doom; - with to before the penalty.
Driven out from bliss, condemnedIn this abhorred deep to utter woe.
To each his sufferings; all are men,Condemned alike to groan.
And they shall condemn him to death.
The thief condemned, in law already dead.
No flocks that range the valley free,To slaughter I condemn.
Condemn
To amerce or fine; - with in before the penalty.
The king of Egypt . . . condemned the land in a hundred talents of silver.
Condemn
To adjudge or pronounce to be unfit for use or service; to adjudge or pronounce to be forfeited; as, the ship and her cargo were condemned.
Condemn
To doom to be taken for public use, under the right of eminent domain.
Condemn
Express strong disapproval of;
We condemn the racism in South Africa
These ideas were reprobated
Condemn
Declare or judge unfit;
The building was condemned by the inspector
Condemn
Compel or force into a particular state or activity;
His devotion to his sick wife condemned him to a lonely existence
Condemn
Demonstrate the guilt of (someone);
Her strange behavior condemned her
Condemn
Pronounce a sentence on (somebody) in a court of law;
He was condemned to ten years in prison
Condemn
Implies a moral judgment.
The policy was condemned for violating human rights.
Condemn
Used in serious, often formal contexts.
The government condemned the use of violence in protests.
Common Curiosities
Is condemning stronger than denouncing?
Condemning is often considered stronger because it implies a need for punishment or corrective action, whereas denouncing is primarily a public or vocal opposition.
How do politicians use denouncement?
Politicians use denouncement to publicly criticize actions, policies, or other politicians, aiming to shape public opinion and gain support for their views.
What does it mean to condemn a building?
To condemn a building means to officially declare it unfit for use, usually due to safety concerns, requiring it to be vacated or demolished.
What are typical consequences of condemning someone?
Consequences can include legal penalties, social ostracism, or other forms of punitive action depending on the context.
Can an individual both condemn and denounce something?
Yes, an individual can both condemn and denounce something, implying both moral disapproval and calling for public awareness or action.
Why is denouncement important in activism?
Denouncement is important in activism as it helps to raise awareness, mobilize support, and pressure entities to change or uphold ethical standards.
How does denouncing affect public perception?
Denouncing can significantly influence public perception by highlighting issues and rallying people against or in favor of a cause.
Are condemn and denounce interchangeable?
While they can be used in similar contexts of disapproval, they are not interchangeable due to the different implications of authority, consequences, and the nature of the action being criticized.
Can a public figure be condemned for their statements?
Yes, a public figure can be condemned for their statements if those statements are seen as morally or legally wrong, leading to widespread disapproval and possible sanctions.
What is required to effectively condemn or denounce an action or policy?
Effective condemnation requires authoritative backing and justification, while effective denouncement requires public communication skills and strategic messaging to influence opinions.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
