The Meaning of Censure: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the meaning of censure? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word censure, such as its definition.

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While censure’s definition may be straightforward, there are many ways it can be used in law, government, and religion. The Word Counter is here to teach you everything you need to know about this important term.

What Does the Word Censure Mean?

According to Collins English Dictionary, the word censure can be used as a noun or a verb. As a verb, this word means to harshly or severely criticize someone or something. As a noun, this word refers to the disapproval or criticism itself. Censure is two syllables: cen-sure. This term is often used in an official way to describe a type of reprimand in government, law, or religion.

According to the Senate, this can also refer to a formal statement of disapproval or official rebuke. For example, the senate issued Andrew Jackson an official reprimand. Another example includes the Wyoming Republican Party voting to censure Liz Cheney for her vote for the impeachment of President Donald Trump in February 2020.

There is also an ecclesiastical censure issued by the Roman Catholic Church, in which someone is punished with the withdrawing of certain sacraments and Christian burial from a person or all persons in a particular district. This term is also used in other religions.

What Are Translations of Censure?

Translating words into other languages not only helps expand our knowledge of words in other languages, but it can help us better understand the root of the English word we are trying to learn. 

In this list of translations of censure, you may notice that a couple of these words look similar to the word censure. These are called cognates, which usually mean the two words have a common root. Once you know this root, it can help you better understand the word’s definition.

  •  Spanish: censurar‎
  •  Russian: порица́ние‎ (neut.), нарека́ние‎ (neut.)
  •  Tagalog: pula‎
  •  Armenian: պարսավանք‎
  •  Bulgarian: неодобрение‎ (neut.)

What Is the Origin of Censure?

According to Your Dictionary, the word censure has been used since Middle English and stems from Old French. This word comes from the Latin censūra meaning censorship and the Roman cēnsor, according to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. These are related to the Latin cēnsēre, meaning to tax, assess, value, judge, or consider.

How Can the Word Censure Be Used in a Sentence?

Censure is a word that you can use in many different contexts. While this is often associated with politics, censure can be used in many different arenas.

Learning how to use a specific word in a sentence is a great way to memorize its definition and add it to your vocabulary. Take a look at the below example sentences, and then try coming up with your own!

The Republicans and Democrats censured one another, providing adverse criticism for their childish behavior when they were supposed to be senior lawmakers.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi read the censure resolution.

The law professor was given a formal censure for numerous ethics violations and his lack of regard for party lines. He participated in the insurrection at the Capital on the day of President Biden’s inauguration, which had a powerful effect on his students.

The man was vehemently given an international censure for his alleged involvement in the assassination.CNN covered the story. 

The legislative body decided to censure all colleagues involved in the chamber during an incensed debate. This vehement expression of disapproval prevented further poor judgment due to the loss of committee seats and assignments.

What Are Synonyms of the Word Censure?

You never want to repeat the same word over and over again in speech or writing. This can make your writing sound dull or repetitive. Also, since the word censure is so closely related to politics, there might be situations in which you want to steer clear of it.

Those situations are perfect cases to use synonyms of the word censure. This list is supplied by Power Thesaurus

  •  abuse
  •  admonish
  •  animadversion
  •  arraign
  •  attack
  •  bawl out
  •  berate
  •  blame
  •  blast
  •  castigate
  •  castigation
  •  chastise
  •  chew out
  •  chide
  •  condemn
  •  condemnation
  •  criticism

What Are Antonyms of the Word Censure?

If you’re trying to say the opposite of the word censure, look no further than this list of antonyms from Power Thesaurus. These antonyms of censure can be helpful to know if you are trying to grow your vocabulary or if you are trying to find the perfect word that means the opposite of censure.

  •  accept
  •  accept responsibility
  •  acclaim
  •  acclamation
  •  acquit
  •  acquittal
  •  admire
  •  agree
  •  allow
  •  applaud
  •  applause
  •  appreciate
  •  approbation
  •  approval
  •  approve
  •  approve of
  •  avow
  •  back
  •  ballyhoo
  •  big someone up
  •  bless
  •  blessing
  •  celebrate
  •  cheer

Conclusion

Overall, the word censure refers to an expression of strong disapproval, official criticism, harsh criticism, or the act of blaming. This is often used in government or religion to refer to a formal reprimand.

Sources:

  1. Censure Meaning | Best 14 Definitions of Censure | Your Dictionary 
  2. Censure definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary 
  3. Censure synonyms – 1 936 Words and Phrases for Censure | Power Thesaurus 
  4. Censure antonyms – 1 235 Opposites of Censure | Power Thesaurus 
  5. Censure | US Senate