How to Memorize

censure - criticize

Analysis

The formal word ‘censure’ expresses the act of blaming or condemning severely. It implies that the reprimanding is done by a person in authority or in a position of significant influence, and that the rebuke is delivered openly and publicly. Most commonly used in a professional context.

Example(s)

1. I quickly censured John for his outburst in the meeting. I simply cannot have my authority publicly questioned in that way.

2. The media will censure that politician no matter what he does. They seem incapable of hiding their bias against him.

3. I have reviewed the infraction committed by the employee and come to the decision that it was accidental and therefore not censurable.