condemning silence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "condemning silence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a lack of response or action is interpreted as a form of criticism or disapproval. Example: "The community's condemning silence in the face of injustice spoke volumes about their true feelings on the matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's unsurprising, given incidents like that at KCL Israel Society a few weeks ago, and I'm sure OULC members would join me in condemning the silencing of Jewish students, who often have uniquely nuanced perspectives on the Israeli state".

Independent

Fanny is often condemned to silence, and Austen hopes that we will understand her even if none of the novel's characters do.

The Guardian - Books

The Athens Union of Journalists, which condemned the silence of some media organizations in the face of the "neo-Nazi" threat to Greece, was even more combative, Reuters reported.

The New York Times

Very few musical works can be interrupted by a little break between movements (no more in any case than the hacking coughs that take possession of any audience condemned to silence) and where something really would be disrupted by a little applause, it's not so hard for a soloist or conductor to press on with the music before any interruption starts.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ms. Young, temporarily condemned to silence by a mouthful of deli meat, listened helplessly as Ms. Chau unleashed a torrent of demands, among them "Can I sleep on your floor?" Ms. Chau, who lives in fear of being scooped, explained that she wanted to be as close as possible to the action.

The New York Times

I strongl condemn the silence of the Muslim politions' while our community members are harressed.

BBC

Either we live in a universe in which morality is a meaningless concept and thus we are forever condemned to silence regarding any moral issue, or moral rules exist and we're beholden to a moral God who holds us accountable to his law.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

During the 18th century, madness was "both held to reveal inner truth and condemned to silence and exclusion as something unintelligible by reason, and therefore threatening to society and to humanity".

Wikipedia

"And then look on the other hand at the repeated failure to step up and condemn, denounce, silence, put to bed, all of those different efforts just like we saw yesterday.

Huffington Post

"If we allow licensing, the licensing body is likely to condemn to silence that which it fears, hates or cannot understand". Powe would allocate the broadcast spectrum by auction, and, he argues, the public interest would be much better served all around.

Los Angeles Times

An Iranian at home could not read the books of the country's best writers (because they came out only abroad), could not see the films of its outstanding directors (because they were not allowed to be shown in Iran), could not listen to the voices of its intellectuals (because they were condemned to silence).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "condemning silence" when you want to emphasize that a lack of response is a powerful form of criticism. Consider the context and audience to ensure the message is clear and impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "condemning silence" when the silence is due to ignorance, lack of awareness, or inability to respond, rather than an intentional act of condemnation. Ensure the silence is deliberate and carries a clear message of disapproval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "condemning silence" functions as a noun phrase that describes a particular type of silence. It suggests that the silence is not neutral, but rather carries a strong negative connotation of disapproval or judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "condemning silence" is a grammatically correct way to describe a situation where silence implies disapproval. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, the phrase itself is not frequently used. Alternatives such as "deafening silence" or "silent disapproval" may be more common. When using "condemning silence", ensure that the silence is indeed intentional and carries a clear message of judgment. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts where a critical perspective is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deafening silence

Emphasizes the conspicuous absence of response as a form of disapproval.

silent disapproval

Directly states the disapproval through silence.

tacit condemnation

Highlights the implied agreement or acceptance of wrongdoing through silence.

implicit criticism

Focuses on the indirect expression of disapproval.

unspoken rebuke

Suggests a silent reprimand or expression of disapproval.

mute condemnation

Similar to "condemning silence", but emphasizes the lack of vocalization.

eloquent silence

Highlights that the silence is saying more than words could.

significant silence

Points out the importance of what is not being said.

loaded silence

Suggests the silence is full of meaning and unspoken thoughts.

telling silence

The silence is revealing or indicative of a certain sentiment.

FAQs

What does "condemning silence" mean?

The phrase "condemning silence" refers to a situation where a lack of response or action is interpreted as a form of criticism or disapproval.

How can I use "condemning silence" in a sentence?

You can use "condemning silence" to describe situations where the absence of a reaction speaks volumes, such as "The government's "condemning silence" on the human rights violations was widely criticized.

What are some alternatives to "condemning silence"?

Alternatives include "deafening silence", "silent disapproval", or "tacit condemnation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "condemning silence" different from "deafening silence"?

While similar, "condemning silence" emphasizes the judgment implied by the silence, whereas "deafening silence" simply highlights the conspicuous absence of any response. The former is more accusatory, while the latter is more descriptive.