Condemn vs. Prohibit: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 5, 2023
"Condemn" means to express strong disapproval or declare as unfit, while "Prohibit" means to forbid or prevent an action by law or authority.
Key Differences
"Condemn" and "Prohibit" are both words that reflect a certain type of disallowance, but they operate in different realms. To "Condemn" is primarily about expressing a strong disapproval or criticism, often driven by moral, ethical, or personal judgments.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
On the other hand, "Prohibit" is more about setting clear boundaries or restrictions. When something is prohibited, it's forbidden by law, rule, or authority. It's not just a matter of expressing disapproval; it's about actively preventing or stopping an action or behavior.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
For instance, a government might "Condemn" actions of another nation, expressing disapproval on the international stage. This condemnation might not come with tangible consequences but serves as a statement of position. However, the same government might "Prohibit" the sale of certain goods from that nation, enforcing an actual ban.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
While both "Condemn" and "Prohibit" suggest negative responses to behaviors or actions, "Condemn" often comes from a place of judgment, and "Prohibit" from a place of authority or control. One could argue that "Condemnation" is more passive in nature as it denotes a sentiment, whereas "Prohibition" is more active, reflecting a directive or mandate.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
In essence, while both words hint at disapproval, "Condemn" is about expressing that disapproval, and "Prohibit" is about enforcing a restriction or ban based on rules or authority.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Context
Often moral, ethical or personal judgments
Based on laws, rules, or authoritative decisions
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Result
Mostly intangible consequences
Tangible consequences (e.g., legal penalties)
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
Example in Action
Many religious texts condemn certain behaviors.
The law prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol.
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Condemn and Prohibit Definitions
Condemn
Declare as unfit for use
The building was condemned after the earthquake.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Prohibit
Make impossible; prevent
The tight security prohibits unauthorized entry.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 05, 2023
Condemn
Express strong disapproval
Critics condemn the movie for its graphic content.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Prohibit
Formally forbid by law or rule
The law prohibits smoking in public places.
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Condemn
To express strong disapproval of
Condemned the needless waste of food.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Prohibit
Bar or hinder an action
Their agreement prohibits any trade with rival companies.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 05, 2023
Condemn
To pronounce judgment against; sentence
Condemned the felons to prison.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
To judge or declare to be unfit for use or consumption, usually by official order
Condemn an old building.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
To force (someone) to experience, endure, or do something
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (George Santayana).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
To lend credence to or provide evidence for an adverse judgment against
Were condemned by their actions.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Prohibit
(transitive) To forbid, disallow, or proscribe officially; to make illegal or illicit.
The restaurant prohibits smoking on the patio.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Prohibit
To forbid by authority; to interdict; as, God prohibited Adam from eating of the fruit of a certain tree; we prohibit a person from doing a thing, and also the doing of the thing; as, the law prohibits men from stealing, or it prohibits stealing.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
(transitive) To strongly criticise or denounce; to excoriate the perpetrators of.
The president condemned the terrorists.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Prohibit
To hinder; to debar; to prevent; to preclude.
Gates of burning adamant,Barred over us, prohibit all egress.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Prohibit
Command against;
I forbid you to call me late at night
Mother vetoed the trip to the chocolate store
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
(transitive) To judicially announce a verdict upon a finding of guilt; To sentence
The judge condemned him to death.
She was condemned to life in prison.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
(transitive) To adjudge (a building) as being unfit for habitation.
The house was condemned after it was badly damaged by fire.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
(transitive) To adjudge (building or construction work) as of unsatisfactory quality, requiring the work to be redone.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
(transitive) To adjudge (food or drink) as being unfit for human consumption.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
(transitive) To determine and declare (property) to be assigned to public use. See eminent domain.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
To declare (a vessel) to be forfeited to the government, to be a prize, or to be unfit for service.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
To pronounce to be wrong; to disapprove of; to censure.
Condemn the fault, and not the actor of it!Why, every fault's condemned ere it be done.
Wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
To declare the guilt of; to make manifest the faults or unworthiness of; to convict of guilt.
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
To pronounce a judicial sentence against; to sentence to punishment, suffering, or loss; to doom; - with to before the penalty.
Driven out from bliss, condemnedIn this abhorred deep to utter woe.
To each his sufferings; all are men,Condemned alike to groan.
And they shall condemn him to death.
The thief condemned, in law already dead.
No flocks that range the valley free,To slaughter I condemn.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
To amerce or fine; - with in before the penalty.
The king of Egypt . . . condemned the land in a hundred talents of silver.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
To adjudge or pronounce to be unfit for use or service; to adjudge or pronounce to be forfeited; as, the ship and her cargo were condemned.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
To doom to be taken for public use, under the right of eminent domain.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
Express strong disapproval of;
We condemn the racism in South Africa
These ideas were reprobated
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
Compel or force into a particular state or activity;
His devotion to his sick wife condemned him to a lonely existence
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
Demonstrate the guilt of (someone);
Her strange behavior condemned her
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
Pronounce a sentence on (somebody) in a court of law;
He was condemned to ten years in prison
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2022
Condemn
Sentence to a punishment
The court condemned him to ten years in prison.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Condemn
To doom to a particular fate
His actions condemned him to a life of exile.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
FAQs
Can a society Condemn certain morals?
Yes, societal norms can condemn specific morals or behaviors, though they might not necessarily prohibit them.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
Can you Condemn someone's behavior?
Absolutely, one can condemn behavior as wrong or inappropriate, unlike prohibiting which implies a formal restriction.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Can you Condemn without offering a solution?
Yes, one can condemn an action without suggesting alternatives, unlike prohibit, which implies a clear directive against something.
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023
Can Condemn refer to a building's status?
Yes, a building can be condemned if it's deemed unsafe, unlike prohibit which relates to forbidding actions.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Is smoking Prohibited in many public places?
Yes, many places prohibit smoking for public health, even if they don't condemn the act of smoking itself.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
Does Prohibit always imply legal consequences?
Often, yes. Actions that are prohibited typically have consequences if violated, unlike just condemning an act.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Is Prohibit stronger than Condemn?
In terms of enforcement, yes. To prohibit is to enforce a ban, while to condemn is to express disapproval.
Sara Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
Can institutions Prohibit certain actions?
Yes, institutions can prohibit specific actions through policies or guidelines, whereas condemning would be expressing disapproval.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
Can public opinion Condemn a public figure?
Yes, public opinion can condemn a figure's actions or statements, whereas prohibiting would involve a formal ban or restriction.
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023
Can literature Condemn societal norms?
Definitely, literature can condemn or critique societal issues, unlike prohibiting, which would be a legal or formal action.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
Does Condemn always have a negative connotation?
Typically, yes. To condemn is to express strong disapproval, unlike prohibit, which is about restriction.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
Are prohibited items always illegal?
Usually, prohibited items are forbidden by laws or rules, whereas condemned items may just be disapproved.
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023
Is alcohol Prohibited in some countries?
Yes, some countries prohibit the sale and consumption of alcohol, rather than just condemning its use.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Can one Condemn without understanding fully?
It's possible, but it might lead to unjust condemnation. Unlike prohibit, which often has a clear basis for restriction.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
Do all religions Prohibit the same things?
No, what one religion prohibits might differ from another, though many might condemn similar moral wrongs.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
Can companies Prohibit unionizing?
In some places, companies might prohibit union activities, even if they don't condemn the concept of unions.
Sara Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
Do schools Prohibit certain student behaviors?
Yes, schools often have codes of conduct that prohibit specific actions, even if they don't necessarily condemn the behavior outside of that context.
Sara Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
Does Prohibit always require authority?
Typically, yes. To prohibit usually stems from a position of authority, unlike condemning, which can be more personal.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 05, 2023
Can parents Condemn a child's behavior?
Yes, parents can condemn behaviors they find inappropriate, and they might prohibit certain actions for safety or discipline.
Sara Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
Can art Condemn societal issues?
Absolutely, art can condemn or critique societal norms, unlike prohibit, which is about formal restriction.
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
