condemnation
gb/kˌɑndəmnˈeɪʃən/ us/kˌɑndəmnˈeɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 7800
elítélés, elmarasztalás, elítélő nyilatkozat, kisajátítás, kisajátítási eljárás, kárhozat, kárhoztatás
NOUN
B2
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
condemnation of [something] by [someone]
The government’s decision to raise taxes met with widespread public condemnation.
A kormány adóemelési döntését széles körű nyilvános elítélés fogadta.
Human rights groups issued a joint condemnation of the army’s actions.
Az emberi jogi szervezetek közös elítélő nyilatkozatot adtak ki a hadsereg lépéseiről.
His comments drew condemnation from politicians across the political spectrum.
There was strong international condemnation following the missile test.
She spoke out in clear condemnation of the racist remarks.
Learner examples
The mayor’s words caused public condemnation.
A polgármester szavai nyilvános elítélést váltottak ki.
The new law faced strong condemnation from many people.
Az új törvényt sokan élesen elítélték.
There was international condemnation of the attack.
The leader gave a speech in condemnation of violence.
His actions brought condemnation from his friends.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "condemnation" with "punishment". "Condemnation" is the strong negative judgment or words about something, not the actual penalty. For example, "There was condemnation of the crime" (people strongly said it was wrong) is different from "He received punishment for the crime" (he went to prison, paid a fine, etc.).
Meaning
strong public or official disapproval
Collocations
strong condemnation
|international condemnation
|face condemnation
|draw condemnation
|universal condemnation
|voice condemnation
Synonyms
criticism (General word for saying what is wrong with something; usually weaker and less formal than condemnation.)
|
denunciation (Very strong public criticism, often formal or political, similar in strength to condemnation but focuses more on accusing.)
Antonyms
praise (Shows strong approval instead of strong disapproval.)
|
approval (General positive judgment, the opposite of condemning something as bad or wrong.)
Themes
emotions
|politics
|society
|communication
Definition
public or official words that say something or someone is very bad or wrong.
The act of expressing very strong disapproval of someone or something, especially in public or in an official statement.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
elítélés
B2
Usage pattern:
condemnation of [someone] to [punishment]
The trial ended in the defendant’s condemnation to life in prison.
A per a vádlott életfogytig tartó szabadságvesztésre ítélésével zárult.
Activists campaigned for years against the condemnation of minors to adult prisons.
Az aktivisták évekig kampányoltak a kiskorúak felnőtt börtönökbe való ítélése ellen.
His lawyer argued that such swift condemnation without full evidence violated due process.
The appeal court overturned his earlier condemnation for fraud.
International observers criticized the secret trial and subsequent condemnation of the journalist.
Learner examples
The judge’s condemnation of the man led to ten years in prison.
A bíró ítélete nyomán a férfi tíz év börtönt kapott.
Her family hoped the court would not give a condemnation to death.
A családja remélte, hogy a bíróság nem ítéli halálra.
The lawyer tried to stop the condemnation of his client.
After his condemnation, he was taken straight to prison.
They protested the quick condemnation without a fair trial.
Common mistake:
Learners may use "condemnation" here when they only mean "criticism". In a legal context, "condemnation" is a formal judgment of guilt and punishment, not just people saying the crime is bad. Use context (words like "court", "judge", "trial") to signal the legal meaning.
Meaning
official court decision to punish
Collocations
condemnation to death
|judicial condemnation
|condemnation by the court
|condemnation of the accused
Synonyms
conviction (General legal term for being found guilty; condemnation suggests a particularly harsh or severe judgment.)
|
sentencing (Focuses on giving the punishment; condemnation emphasizes the strong judgment that the person deserves it.)
Antonyms
acquittal (Legal decision that someone is not guilty, the opposite of a court’s condemnation.)
Themes
law
|crime
Definition
a court’s decision that a person is guilty and must be punished, often very strongly.
An official legal judgment that someone is guilty of a crime and must receive a punishment, especially a very severe one.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
condemnation of [property] for [public use]
The city began condemnation proceedings to acquire the land for a new highway.
A város kisajátítási eljárást indított, hogy megszerezze a területet egy új autópályához.
Property owners are challenging the condemnation of their homes for the airport expansion.
Az ingatlantulajdonosok jogi úton támadják meg otthonaik kisajátítását a repülőtér bővítése miatt.
Under state law, condemnation requires the payment of fair market value to the owner.
The council voted in favor of condemnation to secure the site for a public park.
Learner examples
The town used condemnation to get land for a new road.
A város kisajátítással szerzett földet egy új úthoz.
Some people fought the condemnation of their houses.
Néhányan küzdöttek a házaik kisajátítása ellen.
Condemnation of property usually includes payment to the owner.
The company lost its factory after government condemnation for a train project.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this is another word for "saying something is bad". In legal and real-estate texts, "condemnation" can mean the government taking property through law, not just criticizing it.
Meaning
legal taking of property by state
Collocations
condemnation proceedings
|condemnation action
|condemnation of property
|condemnation for public use
Synonyms
eminent domain (The general legal power that allows the government to take property; condemnation is the specific legal action or process used.)
Antonyms
voluntary sale (The owner chooses to sell the property freely, instead of having it legally taken through condemnation.)
Themes
law
|business
|politics
Definition
a legal process where the government takes private land or buildings for public use, usually with money paid to the owner.
The legal process by which a government takes private property for public use, usually with payment to the owner, under powers such as eminent domain.
NOUN
C1
LITERARY
4
kárhozat
C1
kárhoztatás
C1
Usage pattern:
condemnation of [someone’s] soul
He grew up fearing eternal condemnation for even small sins.
Úgy nőtt fel, hogy még a kisebb bűnök miatt is rettegett az örök kárhozattól.
The sermon warned of divine condemnation for those who ignored the poor.
A prédikáció arra figyelmeztetett, hogy isteni kárhozat vár azokra, akik nem törődnek a szegényekkel.
Some believers struggle with feelings of condemnation long after they have confessed their mistakes.
The novel explores a priest’s doubt about God’s condemnation of non-believers.
Learner examples
She was afraid of God’s condemnation after death.
Attól félt, hogy halála után Isten kárhozatra ítéli.
The pastor spoke about freedom from condemnation.
A lelkész a kárhoztatás alóli szabadulásról beszélt.
He believed that love, not condemnation, was at the heart of his faith.
The story shows a man who thinks he lives under God’s condemnation.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this religious sense is different from social or legal disapproval. In Christian texts, "condemnation" often refers to God’s judgment on a soul, not people’s opinions or a human court’s decision.
Meaning
divine judgment and punishment
Collocations
eternal condemnation
|divine condemnation
|fear of condemnation
|condemnation of the soul
Synonyms
damnation (Very close in meaning; commonly used in religious language for eternal punishment by God.)
Antonyms
salvation (In religious language, being saved by God, the opposite of being under divine condemnation.)
Themes
religion
|emotions
Definition
in religion, the state of a person who is judged by God as guilty and must suffer punishment after death.
In religious contexts, the state of being judged by God as guilty and deserving punishment, especially after death.
Grammar
Dictionary form
condemnation
IPA
GB/kˌɑndəmnˈeɪʃən/
US/kˌɑndəmnˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
con - dem - na - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (na)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: condemnation
- Plural: condemnation, condemnations
Word family
Expressions
in condemnation of
1/ˈɪn kˌɑndəmnˈeɪʃən əv/
fixed phrase
formal
as a sign of disapproval
to show clearly that you think something is very bad or wrong.
Examples
- Thousands marched in condemnation of the new security law.
- Several artists refused the award in condemnation of the government’s policies.
strong condemnation
1/stɹˈɔŋ kˌɑndəmnˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
very severe disapproval
very clear and very serious saying that something is bad or wrong.
Examples
- There was strong condemnation of the attack from leaders around the world.
- Human rights groups issued strong condemnation of the government’s new law.
universal condemnation
1/jˌunəvˈɚsəl kˌɑndəmnˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
disapproval from almost everyone
when almost all people or groups say that something is very bad or wrong.
Examples
- The plan was met with almost universal condemnation from experts.
- Her actions brought universal condemnation across social media.