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In his 1755 Dictionary of the English Language, lexicographer Samuel Johnson noted that "condign" was "always used of something deserved by crimes." Even today, it is most likely to be used to modify "punishment" or a related word, such as "redress," "justice," or "chastisement." And yet, "condign" (which traces to Latin com-, meaning "thoroughly," and dignus, meaning "worthy") once meant "worthy" or "of equal worth or dignity" in English. How did such a word get chained to "punishment"? It was apparently so condemned in the 1500s by the phraseology of the Tudor Acts of Parliament: "Former statutes … for lacke of condigne punishment … be littell feared or regarded."
Synonyms
Examples of condign in a Sentence
Gerard Baker, WSJ, 5 Oct. 2020
That means reversal of Scruton’s ritual humiliation — and equally condign sanctions against the man who willfully deceived his readers and the public about Scruton’s views.
—Kyle Smith, National Review, 17 July 2019
Here’s the problem: There is no satisfying, condign punishment for boorish behavior like Ansari’s.
—Kyle Smith, National Review, 16 Jan. 2018
Journalism’s year of travails, stumbles, goofs, errors, retractions, suspensions, and firings is nemesis of the most vengeful, condign sort.
—Varad Mehta, National Review, 15 Dec. 2017
Dictionary Entries Near condign
Cite this Entry
“Condign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condign. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
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