Dictionary

1censure

noun cen·sure \ˈsen(t)-shər\

: official strong criticism

Full Definition of CENSURE

1
:  a judgment involving condemnation
2
archaic :  opinion, judgment
3
:  the act of blaming or condemning sternly
4
:  an official reprimand
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Origin of CENSURE

Latin censura, from censēre
First Known Use: 14th century

2censure

verb

: to officially criticize (someone or something) strongly and publicly

cen·suredcen·sur·ing \ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)riŋ\

Full Definition of CENSURE

transitive verb
1
obsolete :  estimate, judge
2
:  to find fault with and criticize as blameworthy
cen·sur·er \ˈsen(t)-shər-ər\ noun

First Known Use of CENSURE

1587

Synonym Discussion of CENSURE

criticize, reprehend, censure, reprobate, condemn, denounce mean to find fault with openly. criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions <criticized the police for using violence>. reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking <reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students>. censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding <a Senator formally censured by his peers>. reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction <reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle>. condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment <condemned the government's racial policies>. denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration <a pastoral letter denouncing abortion>.
CENSURER Defined for Kids

1censure

noun cen·sure \ˈsen-shər\

Definition of CENSURE for Kids

1
:  the act of finding fault with or blaming
2
:  an official criticism

2censure

verb
cen·suredcen·sur·ing

Definition of CENSURE for Kids

:  to find fault with especially publicly

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Next Word in the Dictionary: censurelessPrevious Word in the Dictionary: censurableAll Words Near: censure
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