German word

verdammen

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈdamən/

Meaning

  • verbcondemn

Example

Die Kirche verdammt die Sünde.

The church condemns sin.

Illustration for verdammen (condemn)

More examples

Der Historiker verdammt das Regime für seine Verbrechen.

The historian condemns the regime for its crimes.

Core concept

A judge or moral authority marks someone or something as beyond acceptance, with exclusion or ruin as the result.

Common phrases

  • eine Idee verdammen

    condemn an idea

  • jemanden gesellschaftlich verdammen

    condemn someone socially

  • als Hexe verdammen

    condemn as a witch

Similar words

verurteilen: Officially declare someone guilty through a legal or formal proceeding.
kritisieren: Point out faults in an action, behavior, or idea.
verwerfen: Reject a proposal or idea as unacceptable or unsuitable.
ablehnen: Refuse to accept a request or proposal.

Definition in German

Jemanden oder etwas als schuldig, verwerflich oder zum Untergang bestimmt erklären.

Word origin

German verdammen developed from Middle High German verdammen, borrowed from Late Latin damnare, meaning 'to condemn'.

Usage tips

  • Verdammen sounds strong, formal, or dramatic; legal condemnation is usually expressed with verurteilen, while mild criticism uses kritisieren.

Other meanings

  • denounceverb
  • doomverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Verdammnisdamnationnoun
  • Verdammungcondemnationnoun

Word lists with this word