condemned criminal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "condemned criminal" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe someone who has been convicted of a crime and sentenced for their actions. For example, "The court sentenced the condemned criminal to 10 years in prison."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

After breathing normally for a few moments, a condemned criminal would lapse into unconsciousness and, soon thereafter, would experience full-body oxygen deprivation, known as hypoxia.

The New Yorker

"John Ashcroft has always condemned criminal violence at abortion clinics or anywhere and believes individuals who commit these acts of violence and intimidation should be punished to fullest extent of the law," Ms. Tucker said.

The New York Times

It was made out of the thigh-bone of a condemned criminal and wrapped in human skin.

Vice

Developed by Monolith Productions, famed for very dark horror action games like F.E.A.R and Condemned Criminal Origins, Shadow of Mordor is an open-world action role-playing adventure set between The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.

The Guardian - Tech

Titles like Kameo and Perfect Dark Zero had both received middling reviews, and I wasn't ready to take a £500 punt on SEGA's new IP Condemned: Criminal Origins just yet.

Vice

Titles like Kameo and Perfect Dark Zero had both received middling reviews, and I wasn't ready to take like a $730 punt on SEGA's new IP Condemned: Criminal Origins just yet.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It has been held that only condemned criminals were used in the mines, but the evidence for such "condemnation to the mines" is Roman, not Classical Athenian.

Encyclopedia Britannica

First shooting, hanging, gassing and electrocuting condemned criminals were found to be too brutal for the public stomach.

The New York Times

A distressingly large number of the condemned criminals who are put to death by public decapitation in Saudi Arabia are such indentured foreigners, accused of offenses that include sorcery, apostasy, and adultery.

The New Yorker

It was a dark and dangerous, yet extraordinarily well organized place, where wild beasts, animals, gladiators and condemned criminals waited to be brought onstage via trap doors, ramps or elevators powered by men.

The New York Times - Travel

In Utah, yesterday, the convicted murderer Gary Gilmore, who had aroused national interest by his refusal to appeal against the death sentence passed upon him, got his wish by facing a firing squad — Utah being a state where the law allows condemned criminals to select the method by which society will rid itself of them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "condemned criminal" when you want to emphasize both the legal judgment and the person's status as a criminal, especially in contexts involving punishment or moral condemnation.

Common error

Avoid using "condemned criminal" as a general term for any criminal. The term specifically implies a formal judgment or sentencing has taken place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "condemned criminal" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "condemned" modifies the noun "criminal". It describes an individual who has been judged and sentenced for a crime. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's accurate to use this phrase in written English to describe someone who has been convicted and sentenced.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "condemned criminal" accurately describes someone judged guilty and sentenced for a crime. While grammatically correct and usable, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, its frequency is rare according to Ludwig's analysis, predominantly appearing in news and media, encyclopedias and wiki sources. Use it when you specifically want to highlight both the legal verdict and the person's criminal status. Be mindful of overgeneralization; the term implies a formal judgment. Alternatives like "convicted offender" or "sentenced prisoner" may be suitable depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

convicted offender

Replaces "criminal" with "offender" and "condemned" with "convicted", focusing on the legal judgment.

convicted perpetrator

Similar to 'convicted offender' but with a stronger emphasis on the action of committing the crime.

sentenced prisoner

Uses "prisoner" instead of "criminal" and "sentenced" instead of "condemned", highlighting the person's imprisonment.

judged felon

Employs "felon" for a more specific type of criminal and "judged" for a formal assessment.

found guilty perpetrator

Replaces "condemned criminal" with a phrase emphasizing the act of finding someone guilty of a crime.

criminal sentenced to death

Focuses specifically on criminals who have received a death sentence.

doomed perpetrator

Expresses the hopelessness that might follow criminal actions.

outlawed individual

Uses a more general term for someone outside the law.

legally culpable individual

A more formal and legalistic way of saying "condemned criminal".

culpable party

A shortened, more general way to refer to somebody found guilty of a crime.

FAQs

How is "condemned criminal" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "condemned criminal" refers to an individual who has been formally judged guilty of a crime and sentenced, often implying a severe punishment such as imprisonment or execution.

What can I say instead of "condemned criminal"?

You can use alternatives like "convicted offender", "sentenced prisoner", or "judged felon" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "condemned" to describe someone awaiting trial?

No, "condemned" implies a completed legal process and sentencing. It is more accurate to describe someone awaiting trial as an "accused" or "suspect".

What's the difference between "condemned criminal" and "convicted criminal"?

"Condemned criminal" often carries a stronger connotation of moral disapproval or impending punishment compared to "convicted criminal", which is a more neutral legal term.