criticize

verb

crit·​i·​cize ˈkri-tə-ˌsīz 

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

ˈkri-tə-ˌsī-zə-bəl 

adjective

criticizer noun

Synonyms of criticize

• blame
• condemn
• denounce
• fault

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

Much of the general public, however, hasn’t caught up to these developments, which remain strongly discouraged and criticized by the abstinence support group space — especially proponents of AA. — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

Republican leaders criticized a recent post by Bo French attacking South Asian UT students. — Jack Herrera, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2026

Converse is apologizing after landing in hot water this week after photos from two separate ad campaigns were criticized by social media users after aspects of the photos drew comparisons to Ku Klux Klan hoods and lynching imagery. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

Rowe abandoned opening for Sheeran‘s Loop Tour in the wake of Macklemore being forced off it after making onstage comments in support of Palestinians and criticized Israel’s war in Gaza. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

critic entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for criticize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

criticize

verb

crit·​i·​cize ˈkrit-ə-ˌsīz 

criticized; criticizing

1

: to examine and judge as a critic

2

: to find fault with