22 Across

NYT Daily • September 3, 2025

Censures

Answer:

DAMNS

Hint:

Think of a strong verbal condemnation often used in expressions of frustration or final judgment—it starts with "D" and rhymes with "lamps.

Explanation:

Censures" is a verb meaning to criticize or condemn strongly, which directly points to "damns"—another word for harshly judging or condemning someone. The clue plays on the idea of formal disapproval, where "damns" fits as a more forceful synonym. Think of it like saying someone is "damned" for their actions, which carries the same weight as being censured. No tricks here, just a straightforward synonym swap.

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