censure

/ˈsɛntʃər/

/ˈsɛnʃə/

Other forms: censured; censures; censuring

Censure is a noun referring to very strong criticism; the verb means to criticize very strongly. If you take your dad's car without telling him, you can expect him to censure you severely, and maybe even ground you as well.

The noun and verb are most closely associated with official expressions of disapproval, as when Congress censures a senator. The noun is from Latin cēnsūra, "censorship," from cēnsor, "an ancient Roman censor." The job of a Roman censor was to take the census and to supervise public morals and behavior. Our English word censor — which means to suppress speech or other forms of expression — is from this Latin word.

Definitions of censure

1. noun

   harsh criticism or disapproval
   synonyms: animadversion

   types:

   interdict

   an ecclesiastical censure by the Roman Catholic Church withdrawing certain sacraments and Christian burial from a person or all persons in a particular district

   type of:

   condemnation, disapprobation

   an expression of strong disapproval; pronouncing as wrong or morally culpable
2. noun

   the state of being excommunicated
   synonyms: exclusion, excommunication

   type of:

   rejection

   the state of being rejected
3. verb

   rebuke formally
   synonyms: criminate, reprimand

   types:

   animadvert

   express blame or censure or make a harshly critical remark

   type of:

   criticise, criticize, knock, pick apart

   find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws