Condemn Crossword Clue

Crossword clues that read 'prejudice' usually point to a concise noun, and for most puzzles I reach for 'bias'.

I like this because 'bias' is compact, flexible (noun or verb in casual usage), and shows up in crosswords all the time. If the grid length is four letters and crossings don't contradict it, 'bias' fits cleanly. Other possibilities exist depending on enumeration: 'bigotry' if you have seven letters and the clue leans toward moral condemnation, or 'slant' if the puzzle-maker prefers a slightly more figurative turn. Sometimes setters use 'prejudice' to clue 'tilt' or 'sway' in a more metaphorical sense, especially in British puzzles. Personally, I keep a mental shortlist of synonyms so I can pivot quickly when a crossing letter rules one option out — and nine times out of ten 'bias' is the one I lock in, which always feels satisfying.

I get a little giddy seeing the clue 'prejudice' in a puzzle because it's a classic that can go a few different ways. Usually, the setter is just asking for a straightforward synonym — the most common fill you'll run into is 'bias' (4 letters). If the grid has four squares and crosses look promising, 'bias' is almost always the right play. Other direct synonyms that appear depending on enumeration are 'slant' (5), 'bigotry' (7), or even 'tint' or 'tilt' when the clue is being a bit playful.

Sometimes the clue is more subtle: 'prejudice' can be a verb, not just a noun. If the clue's phrasing suggests an action, the answer might be 'bias' used as a verb, or a phrase like 'pre-judge' split into parts in a cryptic context. Legal language also shows up — 'without prejudice' is a legal phrase meaning a case is dismissed but the right to bring it again remains, so setters might hint at a legal sense and expect 'without' to appear somewhere in the wordplay. I always cross-check part of speech, letter count, and neighboring entries before locking in anything, but nine times out of ten, if the pattern fits, 'bias' is the one I go with. It still feels satisfying every time when those crossings confirm it.

I've got a few tricks that shave minutes off my puzzle time when the clue is simply 'prejudice'. First, treat it like a vocabulary riddle: the most common short synonyms are 'bias' (4), 'slant' (5), 'tilt' (4 for a different nuance) and 'bigotry' (7) if the grid wants something stronger. Look at the enumeration — how many letters? That alone often narrows you to one of those options instantly.

Second, use crossings strategically. I always fill the grid's easy, fill-in-the-blank and proper-name entries first, then return to 'prejudice' with several letters already locked in. If you see IS or BS, 'bias' screams at you. If the crossing letters make a five-letter word ending in T, 'slant' becomes likely. For themed puzzles, consider whether the constructor is using a twist: maybe they're going for 'prejudice' as a verb like 'prejudge', or a playful entry like 'pre-judge' in a cryptic-ish puzzle. I find that mixing quick synonym checks with smart crossing choices makes 'prejudice' one of the faster fills in my routine — it's oddly satisfying when the pattern clicks into place.

I see the clue 'prejudice' pop up in crosswords all the time, and I tend to treat it like a little toolbox rather than a single straight line. For quick puzzles the go-to synonyms are compact and versatile: 'bias' is the most common four-letter fit, then 'slant' for five letters, and 'bigotry' if the grid wants something longer and a bit harsher. As a solver I also watch for 'partiality' when constructors aim for a specific tone, and 'preconception' or 'prejudice' itself when the enumeration allows for long answers.

When the clue feels cryptic or thematic, other options appear: 'animus' can be used for hostile prejudice, 'intolerance' or 'discrimination' for a social or legal slant, and verbs like 'prejudge' or 'bias' (as a verb) if the clue is action-focused. I always check crossings early — a single crossing letter often tells me whether the puzzle maker wants a neutral word like 'bias' or a stronger one like 'bigotry'. I enjoy that subtle detective work; it makes a two-letter difference feel dramatic and somehow poetic.

Lately I've been nerding out over crossword vocab patterns, and 'prejudice' is one of those clues that keeps cropping up in a few predictable places. In American-style daily puzzles like 'New York Times', 'Los Angeles Times', and 'Washington Post', the clue usually signals a short, clean fill — most often 'bias' (4 letters) or sometimes 'slant' (5). Because those outlets favor accessible language, puzzle editors and constructors frequently reach for those concise synonyms, so you see 'prejudice' again and again in their grids.

On the other side of the pond, British cryptics — think 'The Guardian' or 'The Times' — will also use 'prejudice' a lot, but the trick is different: it might be clued as a definition for 'bias' or 'bent', or used as part of more elaborate wordplay. If you search crossword databases like Cruciverb or XWordInfo you can actually track how often 'prejudice' appears and which fills show up most, and you'll notice the same short words repeat. For me, spotting 'prejudice' and automatically thinking 'bias' is a tiny solver hack that makes puzzles more satisfying.

I get a kick out of spotting crossword-friendly synonyms for 'condemn' because puzzle setters love throwing tricky shades at that verb. If you need a go-to list, start with common fills: 'denounce', 'censure', 'decry', 'rebuke', 'castigate', 'vilify', 'pan', 'slam', 'berate', 'rap', 'damn', and 'doom'. Many of those appear often because they vary in length and tone — 'pan' and 'slam' are great for short slots, while 'denounce' and 'castigate' fit longer ones.

Beyond raw synonyms, I pay attention to nuance and clue phrasing. A clue like "publicly condemn" often points to 'denounce' or 'decry', while "express strong disapproval" might lean toward 'censure' or 'rebuke'. If the clue hints at harsh moral judgment, 'vilify' or 'execrate' could be intended. Crossing letters usually seal the deal, but thinking about formal versus informal tone helps a lot. I tend to jot alternatives in pencil and test crosses — it's oddly satisfying when the right word clicks into place, and I walk away with that little grin.

I tend to spot recurring crossword fills for the clue 'condemn' all over the grid, especially in short slots where constructors need a compact synonym. In my experience, three- and four-letter entries like PAN, DAMN, or DECRY pop up constantly in daily puzzles because they’re convenient and very cross-friendly. You’ll see the longer cousins — CENSURE, DENOUNCE, CASTIGATE, EXECRATE — more often in the Sunday-sized puzzles or themed venues where longer entries fit the symmetry.

Beyond the grid itself, those recurring fills are easy to find in clue databases and solver sites. When I’m stuck I’ll search a database and immediately get a list of common entries that constructors favor. Publications also influence frequency: the mellow voice of some papers might prefer 'censure' while quick-news grids lean toward short, punchy verbs. I like tracking these patterns because it makes solving feel like learning a secret language, and spotting a likely fill from the clue 'condemn' is always satisfying to me.

I tend to think about puzzles the way I do music — patterns, repeats, and the little tricks constructors rely on — and when the clue reads embarrassed, the fill I reach for almost reflexively is 'abashed'. It's a comfy seven-letter adjective that fits a ton of grids, it reads cleanly in a down or across slot, and constructors love the vowel-consonant balance. I've seen it pop up in both weekday themelesses and the Saturday monsters, and it rarely feels forced because English actually uses 'abashed' quite naturally in that context.

Beyond the technicalities, there's a human reason it shows up so often: it evokes the vintage crossword voice. 'Abashed' is slightly formal and polite, which matches the tone of many traditional puzzles (think 'New York Times' style weekday clues). If a constructor needs a neutral past-tense adjective for embarrassed, 'abashed' is often the safest, most grid-friendly pick. I still giggle when I get it right away in a puzzle morning ritual — feels like recognizing an old friend — and that little moment of satisfaction is why I keep solving.