censure

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb censure differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of censure are condemn, criticize, denounce, reprehend, and reprobate. While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

When would condemn be a good substitute for censure?

The synonyms condemn and censure are sometimes interchangeable, but condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

When could criticize be used to replace censure?

The words criticize and censure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions.

criticized the police for using violence

How do denounce and condemn relate to one another, in the sense of censure?

Denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

When can reprehend be used instead of censure?

In some situations, the words reprehend and censure are roughly equivalent. However, reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

Where would reprobate be a reasonable alternative to censure?

The meanings of reprobate and censure largely overlap; however, reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.

reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of censure
Noun
Once an extremely rare action, censure has become more common in recent years as Congress has become more polarized along partisan lines. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025 The Indiana Democratic Party in December adopted a new code of conduct that allows for the possibility of disciplinary action — which could include censure, suspension and a ban — for those who violate the code. Eric Larsen, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Dec. 2024
Verb
Johnson said afterward that Green should be censured by the House — among the more severe reprimands his colleagues could mete out. Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025 The conservative House Freedom Caucus also said Wednesday its members would be introducing a resolution to censure Green. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for censure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for censure
Noun
  • Democrats in Congress appeared unified in their condemnation of the Oval Office meeting, viewing Trump and Vance's attacks on Zelenskyy as either aiding Putin or seeking to impress him.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • The massacres brought condemnations from the U.S. and Israel, while the European Union sought to retain a neutral stance.
    Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Police had stern words for one teenager caught surfing and four others were also reprimanded for putting themselves and others in danger.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Trump and Vance reprimanded Zelensky, accusing him of lacking gratitude for U.S. aid.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Hutchins’ mother, Olga Solovey, has criticized Baldwin’s response.
    Rachel Brodsky, TIME, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Musk has repeatedly criticized Social Security, one of the government's most popular programs, and DOGE staffers have been working inside the agency.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Trump also signed an executive order targeting antisemitism, specifically condemning protests following Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
    William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Designed to enforce godliness in the newly Protestant country, the law condemned anyone who appeared to be conspiring with the devil, though women were the most common targets.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Recently, however, doctors have started reporting more cases of iodine-deficient hypothyroidism—and our salt preferences may be at least partially to blame.
    Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The Democratic establishment’s focus on blaming Trump for those price spikes represents a stark break from its activists, who have launched a protest movement arguing that Trump is a budding dictator with no regard for the Constitution.
    Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • City audit led to changeover As for animal control, KC Pet Project sought that contract after a 2017 city audit had faulted the city-run animal control unit for being overly focused on issuing tickets to pet owners.
    Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Hours earlier, the head of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association officers’ union, Steadman Stahl, faulted Hill for winding up on the ground while being handcuffed.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Counties with Republican executives were punished by receiving no vaccination site for months.
    Ryan Silverstein, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
  • European leaders view the EU as an alliance focused on preventing wars after World War II, not punishing the United States, as Trump suggests.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Censure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/censure. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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