condemner

A condemner is a person or entity that condemns, meaning one who expresses strong disapproval or moral judgment of someone or something. In everyday usage, a condemner may denounce actions, policies, or individuals, often in a public or rhetorical context.

In legal contexts, especially in discussions of eminent domain, the term condemner (also rendered condemnor) refers to the party that initiates condemnation of private property for public use. The condemner seeks to acquire the property, typically through a formal proceeding, and must provide compensation to the owner. The owner or property interests subject to condemnation is commonly described as the condemned or condemnee. The overall procedure is known as condemnation or eminent domain.

Etymology and usage notes: condemner is formed from the verb condemn with the agent noun suffix -er, tracing back to Latin damnare via Old French condamner. In modern English, condemner is relatively rare outside specific legal discussions, where it is used to name the party initiating the taking or to refer to someone who issues moral or public condemnation.

See also: condemnation, condemn, condemnatory, condemnable, condemnor.