criticize

play

verb crit·i·cize \ˈkri-tə-ˌsīz\

Definition of criticize

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

play \ˈkri-tə-ˌsī-zə-bəl\ adjective

criticizer

noun

See criticize defined for English-language learners

See criticize defined for kids

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 of criticize from the Web

One Twitter user criticized ASOS for continuing to use generally homogenous, thin models.

— lynsey eidell, SELF, "ASOS Showcases Models' Stretch Marks in Unedited Photos", 5 July 2017
As a female in politics I am often criticized for my looks.

— veronica hilbring, Essence.com, "Politicians React To President Trump’s Morning Attack On MSNBC Anchor", 29 June 2017
Nemtsov’s allies and family have criticized Russia’s Investigative Committee, which investigates high-profile crimes, for stopping short of studying a possible role of Kadyrov and top Chechen officers.

— nataliya vasilyeva, The Seattle Times, "5 found guilty in Russian opposition leader’s murder", 29 June 2017
A jury in Moscow found five men guilty in the murder of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in a trial criticized by his allies as failing to identify who ordered and organized the killing.

— james marson, WSJ, "Five Found Guilty in Killing of Russian Opposition Leader", 29 June 2017
But] the true intent of this testimony was to criticize Administrator Pruitt’s evaluation of the BOSC rather than discuss state involvement of EPA rulemaking.

— jeffrey mervis, Science | AAAS, "Scientist tells her story in latest partisan battle on House science panel", 28 June 2017
The critic is free to offer her opinion, others are free to criticize her, and the Sun-Times is free to defend her.

— vanityfair.com, VanityFair.com, "Critic Accused of Racism over Controversial Theater Review", 26 June 2017
But in practice, other medical professionals and families have criticized the change.

— mark barna, Discover Magazine, "Everything Worth Knowing About ... Autism Spectrum Disorder", 19 June 2017
Musk has criticized the state's slow moving dream project of a bullet train between San Francisco and Los Angeles, offering his maglev Hyperloop train as an alternative.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Elon Musk Says the City of L.A. Is Warming Up to His Big Tunnel Idea", 19 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'criticize'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of criticize

¹critic + -ize

NEW!

First Known Use: 1643

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of 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

CRITICIZE Defined for English Language Learners

criticize

play

verb

Definition of criticize for English Language Learners

: to express disapproval of (someone or something) : to talk about the problems or faults of (someone or something)
: to look at and make judgments about (something, such as a piece of writing or a work of art)

CRITICIZE Defined for Kids

criticize

play

verb crit·i·cize \ˈkri-tə-ˌsīz\

Definition of criticize for Students

criticized

;

criticizing

1 : to examine and judge
2 : to find fault with

Word Root of criticize

The Greek word kritikos, meaning “able to judge,” gives us the root critic. Words from the Greek kritikos have something to do with judging. A critic is someone who judges the value or quality or something, such as a movie or book. Someone critical makes a lot of judgments and usually decides that things are not good. To criticize is to make a judgment that something is not good.