Antonin Scalia

The American people have determined that the good to be derived from capital punishment - in deterrence, and perhaps most of all in the meting out of condign justice for horrible crimes - outweighs the risk of error.

American Judge

Use 'condign' mainly when referring to deserved punishments in formal or legal contexts.

Punishment Context

'Condign' often carries a sense of moral rightness, emphasizing that the punishment fits the crime.

Moral Justice

Although 'condign' can mean suitable, it's seldom used for positive outcomes, focusing more on consequences.

Rarely Positive

Use 'condign' to describe something that matches another in quality or nature, often in moral situations.

Equal Nature

When used for nature or character, 'condign' doesn't necessarily imply positivity, just equivalence.

Less Positive Tone

This definition of 'condign' is best for formal or academic writing; it's too formal for casual conversation.