1
a
: one who engages often professionally in the analysis, evaluation, or appreciation of works of art or artistic performances
a literary critic
a film critic
a theater critic
b
: one who expresses a reasoned opinion on any matter especially involving a judgment of its value, truth, righteousness, beauty, or technique
Critics of the new law say that it will not reduce crime.
2
: one given to harsh or captious judgment
a fierce critic of immigration policies
Examples of critic in a Sentence
Noun (1)
the president's hard-core critics are going to attack him no matter what he does
the restaurant critic said that the fries at that fast-food outlet were the worst she'd ever eaten
Recent Examples on the Web
Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Like many of his current colleagues, the Ohio Republican and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee is a longtime critic of warrantless surveillance under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 25 Mar. 2026
In Huerta’s case, critics just don’t buy how someone who carried Chávez’s torch decades after his death could all of a sudden supposedly turn on him.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Oscar De La Hoya is another critic, pointing out that TKO has been accused of amassing too much control over MMA and the pay of athletes, and in 2024 reached a $375 million settlement to resolve antitrust allegations.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for critic
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
In 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation that prohibits cities and counties from creating their own heat exposure protections for outdoor workers—a move critics say limits local efforts to address extreme working conditions.
—Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Like many of his current colleagues, the Ohio Republican and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee is a longtime critic of warrantless surveillance under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 25 Mar. 2026
In Huerta’s case, critics just don’t buy how someone who carried Chávez’s torch decades after his death could all of a sudden supposedly turn on him.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Oscar De La Hoya is another critic, pointing out that TKO has been accused of amassing too much control over MMA and the pay of athletes, and in 2024 reached a $375 million settlement to resolve antitrust allegations.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for critic
Cite this Entry
“Critic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/critic. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
