criticize

verb

crit·i·cize | \ ˈkri-tə-ˌsīz

criticized; criticizing

Definition of criticize

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.

Other Words from criticize Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about criticize

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for criticize

Synonyms

blame, censure, condemn, denounce, dis (also diss) [slang], dispraise, fault, knock, pan, reprehend, slag [chiefly British]

Antonyms

extol (also extoll), laud, praise

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

And people find happiness in hating or criticizing the same things. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "“Riverdale”’s Lili Reinhart Goes After All Her Haters on Instagram and Cheryl Blossom Would Be Proud," 4 Jan. 2019 Following a 2018 ceremony that was widely criticized for failing to recognize female artists, this year's ceremony appears to be a step in the right direction, artists including Ariana Grande, Cardi B, Dua Lipa, and Kacey Musgraves earning nods. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Grammys 2019 Nominations Include Multiple Nods for Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa," 7 Dec. 2018 Disembowelment 101 Some early reviews criticized the gore in Outlaw King as excessive, suggesting the filmmakers went wild because Netflix isn't controlled by the movie ratings people at the MPAA. — Peter Martin, Popular Mechanics, "How They Made All the Blood and Guts of 'Outlaw King'," 9 Nov. 2018 Kang was criticized for seemingly shaming women about unhealthy choices. — Eileen Reslen, Town & Country, "Megyn Kelly's Most Controversial Moments Ever," 26 Oct. 2018 People sometimes criticize Waymo for focusing so heavily on Phoenix-area testing, arguing that this will leave Waymo's cars unprepared for the more challenging driving environments elsewhere in the country. — Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, "Waymo’s driverless cars have driven way mo’ miles than rivals’," 10 Oct. 2018 Some Western governments and international human rights groups criticize Vietnam for jailing people for peacefully expressing their views. — Fox News, "Vietnam jails activist for anti-government posts on Facebook," 25 Sep. 2018 In other words, Adam Smith joins with Mr. Corbat in criticizing those who think that value is limited to material production and capital goods. — WSJ, "Smith Appreciated Value of Intangible Labor," 27 Nov. 2018 The move has been widely criticized by environmental activists, state legislators, and auto industry representatives. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "The Trump Administration Forecasts 7 Degrees Fahrenheit of Global Warming by 2100," 28 Sep. 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.