criticize

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

A now-viral video of a woman criticizing a CNN reporter for lacking empathy in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey is eliciting some strong responses about media and the trauma Houston residents are facing.

— christina coleman, Essence.com, "Harvey Survivor Who Criticized CNN Anchor Isn't Just 'Upset,' She's Traumatized And Exhausted," 30 Aug. 2017
In July, DHS held public hearings in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg in which advocates and users of the program criticized the state for starting the season later and cutting it off early.

— claudia vargas, Philly.com, "Pa. restores LIHEAP funding and extends availability," 30 Aug. 2017
Gone With the Wind has been criticized over the years for romanticizing the South during the Civil War, as well as for its depictions of slavery.

— Southern Living, "Gone with the Wind is Gone From a Memphis Theater for This Controversial Reason," 30 Aug. 2017
The speaker also took issue with a recent comment of Bevin criticizing public employees including teachers whom Bevin said have hoarded sick days to enhance their final pension benefits.

— tom loftus, The Courier-Journal, "Some ideas to bail out Kentucky pension are dead on arrival, House speaker says," 29 Aug. 2017
Holloway criticized Trump’s military ban, and called for more acceptance of others’ differences.

— lavendrick smith, charlotteobserver, "Annual Charlotte Pride festival draws thousands to uptown," 26 Aug. 2017
Many expected Lee would get a prison sentence because the judiciary has been criticized for past leniency toward major white collar crime.

— youkyung lee, The Seattle Times, "Q&A: Samsung chief is jailed. Here’s what you need to know.," 25 Aug. 2017
That possibility was strongly criticized in Latin America and the United States as a throwback to the days of Yankee imperialism.

— clifford krauss, New York Times, "White House Raises Pressure on Venezuela With New Financial Sanctions," 25 Aug. 2017
Instead of legislation, Trump has found new targets to rail against: the media outlets that remain his biggest critics, and, increasingly, Republicans in Congress who have begun to criticize the president themselves.

— vanityfair.com, "Trump Confronts His 2020 Paradox," 21 Aug. 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! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1643

See Words from the same year

criticize Synonyms

Synonyms

blame, censure, condemn, denounce, dis (also diss) [slang], dispraise, fault, knock, pan, reprehend, slag [chiefly British], come down hard (on), find fault (with), take to task

Antonyms

extol (also extoll), laud, praise

Related Words

skewer, tweak; assail, attack, blast, clobber, slam, slash; nick (at), snipe (at); beef, bellyache, bitch, carp, cavil, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grouse, growl, grumble, kick, kvetch, moan, murmur, mutter, niggle, quibble, whine; admonish, chide, drub, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, reprove; berate, castigate, crucify, excoriate, flay, gibbet, hammer, keelhaul, lambaste (or lambast), lash, pillory, scold, upbraid; bad-mouth, belittle, decry, deride, discommend, disparage, put down

Near Antonyms

approve, commend, endorse (also indorse), recommend, sanction

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

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

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.