censures 1 of 2

noun

plural of censure
as in reprimands
an often public or formal expression of disapproval a rare censure of a senator by the full United States Senate for misconduct

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

censures

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of censure
1
as in condemns
to express public or formal disapproval of a vote to censure the President for conduct that was unbecoming to his office

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in denounces
to declare to be morally wrong or evil our society generally censures the taking of another person's life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in criticizes
to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of critics have striven to outdo each other in censuring that pop novelist's latest work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of censures
Noun
Once rare, censures and expulsions have become more common, particularly in the House. — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Still, the desire to avoid a cycle of censures could prompt even the most moderate Republicans to vote against the censure. — Emily Brooks, The Hill, 22 Feb. 2026 Aside from the financial cost to the city, Blain’s behavior prompted several council actions, including two censures. — Susan Gill Vardon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2025 Some rank-and-file lawmakers also agree that censures are losing their punch. — Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 21 Nov. 2025 Here’s what to know about censures, and what happened this past week. — Connor Greene, Time, 21 Nov. 2025 Jones had sued over his expulsion from the House in 2023 and numerous censures after his reinstatement. — Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for censures
  1. reprimands
  2. condemns
  3. denounces
  4. criticizes
  5. condemnations
  6. punishes
  7. blames
  8. faults
Noun
  • Historically, many referrals have functioned as largely symbolic reprimands.
    — Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Jernigan recalled reprimands issued for this sort of lapse but knew of no arrests.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of reprimands
Verb
  • The documentary condemns The Swan for manufacturing reality, while offering its own more morally satisfying reality.
    — Danielle Pergament, Allure, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The government silences critics, shuts down free press and condemns other political parties.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of condemns
Verb
  • As the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises proceed, North Korea denounces them as invasion rehearsals, launches missiles and vows stronger deterrence, even as analysts say scaling back drills could weaken long-term allied readiness.
    — Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The project denounces Haiti’s justice system through the story of a woman imprisoned for years without trial and later judged not by law, but by scripture.
    — Lise Pedersen, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
Definition of denounces
Verb
  • The piece also criticizes media and academic discussions that portray Latino men and Latinas as politically opposed blocs.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The Bolsonaro reaction Flávio Bolsonaro, by contrast, criticizes Brazilian democratic institutions – particularly the Supreme Court and the electoral system – as obstacles to restoring the country’s political order.
    — Andre Pagliarini, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of criticizes
Noun
  • Recent campaign filings by the Yes on Proposition 45 campaign revealed two donations that quickly drew condemnations from Democratic leaders.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • By the time Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived on the floor of the United Nations, his country had been on the receiving end of scores of condemnations from the podium for two days.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of condemnations
Verb
  • Third, the contractor market rewards owners who prepare and punishes those who don’t.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The shortfall that punishes success The system can also make serving more children harder, not easier.
    — Tim Grailer, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of punishes
Verb
  • The Tracy camp blames that on the Democrat’s lack of engagement.
    — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Cohen blames other departments’ delays in turning over data as part of the reason for its chronic lateness.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of blames
Verb
  • The report specifically faults the Ohio Department of Development's oversight, as well as actions by local affiliates, including the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network in Cleveland and Ohio State University South Centers in Piketon.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Foulkes faults McKee on energy policy Democratic primary challenger Helena Foulkes' campaign said the emergency declaration is a sign things are not going well.
    — Patrick Anderson, The Providence Journal, 24 July 2026
Definition of faults

Browse Nearby Words

censurers
censures
censuring
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Censures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/censures. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All