Advertisement

View synonyms for censure

censure

[ sen-sher ]

noun

  1. strong or vehement expression of disapproval:

    The newspapers were unanimous in their censure of the tax proposal.

    Synonyms: animadversion, stricture, reprimand, rebuke, reprehension, reproach, reproof, condemnation

    Antonyms: praise

  2. an official reprimand, as by a legislative body of one of its members.

    Antonyms: praise



verb (used with object)

, cen·sured, cen·sur·ing.
  1. to criticize or reproach in a harsh or vehement manner:

    She is more to be pitied than censured.

    Synonyms: chide, rebuke, reprove

    Antonyms: praise

verb (used without object)

, cen·sured, cen·sur·ing.
  1. to give censure, adverse criticism, disapproval, or blame.

censure

/ ˈsɛnʃə /

noun

  1. severe disapproval; harsh criticism
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to criticize (someone or something) severely; condemn
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈcensurer, noun
Discover More

Other Words From

  • censur·er noun
  • censure·less adjective
  • mis·censure verb miscensured miscensuring
  • pre·censure verb (used with object) precensured precensuring
  • pro·censure adjective
  • super·censure noun
  • un·censured adjective
  • un·censur·ing adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of censure1

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin cēnsūra censor's office, assessment, equivalent to cēns ( us ) past participle of cēnsēre ( censor ) + -ūra -ure
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of censure1

C14: from Latin cēnsūra, from cēnsēre to consider, assess
Discover More

Synonym Study

See abuse. See blame, reprimand.
Discover More

Example Sentences

In May, the USC Academic Senate voted to censure her and Provost Andrew Guzman over their handling of events around commencement.

In the immediate aftermath of the 6 January attack, McCarthy had said that Trump “bears responsibility” for the mob violence and recommended that Congress formally censure him for his conduct.

From BBC

The county would end up filing a lawsuit in August against Viet America Society and censuring Do in September.

It exited bankruptcy two years ago, and two City Council members have been censured by their colleagues in the last four years.

With the prime minister commanding the support of little more than a third of National Assembly deputies, Le Pen can bring him down at any point by backing a censure motion tabled by the left.

From BBC

Advertisement

Related Words

Discover More

More About Censure

What does censure mean?

Censure is passionate or intense criticism, as in Many countries were united in their censure of the nation responsible for the nuclear disaster. 

Censure can also refer to an official condemnation or reprimand, especially by a legislative body to one of its members, as in The lawyer’s terrible conduct earned him a censure from the judge. 

As a verb, censure means to intensely and harshly criticize something, as in The governor was censured by the media for his incredibly poor handling of the state’s hurricane response.   

Censure could be confused with the similarly spelled words censer, censor, and sensor. A censer is a container that holds burning incense. A censor is a person who looks for unacceptable or immoral material in media or creative works. A sensor is a device that sends a signal in reaction to environmental conditions.

Example: The musician faced intense censure from other artists after stealing melodies and their career never recovered from the backlash.

Where does censure come from?

The first records of censure come from around 1350. It ultimately comes from the Latin cēnsēre, meaning “to consider” or  “to assess.” In the case of censure, a person has considered the actions of someone else and has come to an incredibly negative assessment of them.

Censure is a synonym of such words as criticize, scold, rebuff, and chastise. However, censure is often specifically used to mean that the criticism is incredibly severe and negative. The word censure often implies that a person being censured is going to literally or figuratively suffer horribly because of whatever terrible or reprehensible thing they did.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to censure?

  • censurer (noun)
  • censureless (adjective)
  • miscensure (verb)
  • precensure (verb)

What are some synonyms for censure?

What are some words that share a root or word element with censure

What are some words that often get used in discussing censure?

What are some words censure may be commonly confused with?

How is censure used in real life?

Censure is used to refer to especially harsh criticism or an official show of contempt by a government body.

Try using censure!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of censure?

A. scold
B. blame
C. condemn
D. praise

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


censurablecensus