verdammen
Translation
to condemn, to damn, to doom
Examples
Die Öffentlichkeit verdammt seine Taten.
The public condemns his actions.
Er war dazu verdammt, allein zu sein.
He was doomed to be alone.
Der Priester verdammte die Sünder.
The priest damned the sinners.
Grammar Patterns
((sb./sth.)) to condemn sb./sth. The press condemned the government's decision.
((sb.)) ((to sth.)) to doom sb. to sth. Fate doomed him to a life of poverty.
Similar Words
Synonyms: verurteilen, verfluchen; Antonyms: loben, preisen
Etymology
From the prefix 'ver-' (for intensification) and 'damm' (dam). It's a cognate of the English word 'damn', derived from Latin 'damnare' (to inflict loss on).
Memory Tips
Think of the English word 'damn'. The German exclamation 'Verdammt!' is used just like 'Damn it!'