criticize

verb crit·i·cize \ ˈkri-tə-ˌsīz \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: criticize in a Sentence

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

The report also detailed the communications by Strzok and others criticizing Trump.

— NBC News, "House Republicans grill FBI agent who sent anti-Trump texts," 27 June 2018
Last week, employees at both Microsoft and Amazon circulated letters criticizing their companies’ contracts with ICE; Amazon’s employees also called out their work on a facial recognition system for law enforcement.

— jacob kastrenakes, The Verge, "Salesforce employees ask CEO to ‘re-examine’ contract with border protection agency," 26 June 2018
More: State account auto-tweets link to Attorney General Curtis Hill statement criticizing accuser Got politics?Get more by subscribing to IndyStar's Hoosier Politics newslettter.

— billy kobin, Indianapolis Star, "Governor's office halts auto-tweet policy after criticism of link to Curtis Hill statement," 13 July 2018
Over the last two days, nearly 500 Yale Law alumni, students and faculty members … have signed a petition criticizing Yale for celebrating its alumnus’s nomination.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: GOP candidates caught in a bind on Medicaid," 13 July 2018
The Obamas famously presented the Queen with an iPod, which some British tabloids criticized as a lame gift.

— elise taylor, Vogue, "A Look Back at All of Queen Elizabeth's Presidential Meetings," 13 July 2018
The hearing comes as congressional investigators continue to probe into Department of Justice and FBI oversight after an internal inspector general report criticized leadership at the top levels during the Clinton investigation.

— CBS News, "FBI's Peter Strzok testifies on anti-Trump bias before House panel -- live updates," 12 July 2018
But before the night was even over, Mr. Trump, in an interview with The Sun, criticized Mrs. May’s approach to Brexit.

— katie rogers, New York Times, "British Roll Out Trump’s Political Idol: Winston Churchill," 12 July 2018
The Teamsters have faced challenges from dissident groups criticizing deals the union has reached.

— kelly yamanouchi, ajc, "UPS-Teamsters labor deal tackles weekend deliveries, potential for drones and driverless vehicles," 10 July 2018

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

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

criticize Synonyms

Phrases

come down hard (on), find fault (with), take to task;

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.