criticize

verb

crit·​i·​cize ˈkri-tə-ˌsīz How to pronounce criticize (audio)
criticized; criticizing

intransitive verb

: to act as a critic

transitive verb

1
: to consider the merits and demerits of and judge accordingly : evaluate
He asked me to criticize his drawings.
2
: to find fault with : point out the faults of
His boss criticized him for his sloppy work.
criticizable adjective
criticizer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for criticize

criticize, reprehend, censure, reprobate, condemn, denounce mean to find fault with openly.

criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions.

criticized the police for using violence

reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.

reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

Examples of criticize in a Sentence

His boss criticized him for his sloppy work habits. The judge was widely criticized for his verdict. The editor criticized the author's work as trite. It seems as though all he ever does is criticize.
Recent Examples on the Web Alaska Airlines Passengers Who Survived Mid-Air Blow Out Suing Airline, Boeing for $1 Billion In the comments section of the video, fliers were quick to criticize the new design. Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 The right to criticize Israel for its actions is democratic, and not an antisemitic act. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 The Hovde camp's website mounts a three-pronged attack against Baldwin, seeking to label her as a career politician, tie her to economic inflation and criticize her for failing to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2024 In 2020, Trump was the incumbent and Biden the challenger, with the freedom to criticize his opponent's record without having to defend one of his own. Susan Page, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 Following Monday’s debate, Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a Republican, criticized lawmakers for lacking faith in the system that elected them and harming voter confidence in the process. Katie Bernard, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024 One measure of the Houthis’ new power is that the proud Arab autocrats who hate them hardly dare to criticize them. Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2024 When Koy criticized his writers, Gauthier, who had also submitted monologue jokes, told me her phone blew up with texts from outraged comics. Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Protesters chanted slogans, sang and held placards criticizing the government’s plan. Hyung-Jin Kim, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'criticize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

critic entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of criticize was in 1621

Dictionary Entries Near criticize

Cite this Entry

“Criticize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criticize. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

criticize

verb
crit·​i·​cize ˈkrit-ə-ˌsīz How to pronounce criticize (audio)
criticized; criticizing
1
: to examine and judge as a critic
2
: to find fault with

More from Merriam-Webster on criticize

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