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 Under Chinese President Xi Jinping, the government has cracked down on voices that criticize national heroes or question the official narrative about them. — Nectar Gan, CNN, "China detains six people for 'insulting' soldiers killed in India border clash," 23 Feb. 2021 For all the criticism directed at him, Castor suggested that Trump did not criticize his performance. — Marc Levy, Star Tribune, "Lawyer defending Trump accustomed to political disaster," 12 Feb. 2021 The squads, which arrest fugitives, use techniques some police chiefs criticize as outdated and dangerous. — AZCentral.com, "Arizona ranks No. 1 for shootings by US Marshals Service task forces, investigation shows," 11 Feb. 2021 Pompeo denounced the violence that disrupted Congress's certification of the Electoral College vote that sent President-elect Joe Biden to the White House but didn't criticize Trump's actions. — Tyler Van Dyke, Washington Examiner, "US diplomats condemn Trump in State Department 'dissent channel'," 10 Jan. 2021 Gray said that Trump will likely criticize Democrats for not wanting to reopen the economy. — al, "‘Red meat' and ‘fire up the base': What to expect from President Trump during Pensacola visit," 23 Oct. 2020 Plenty of others criticize polling — especially election results seem like a surprise, and a candidate who seemed to be leading ends up losing. — Anthony Man, sun-sentinel.com, "Blizzard of Florida polls provide constant look at presidential race. Here’s how to decipher and when to ignore them.," 18 Sep. 2020 Jarvis Landry didn’t criticize Sorensen for the bang-bang play. — cleveland, "Browns’ Mack Wilson and Chiefs’ Dan Sorensen not fined for their hits on Patrick Mahomes and Rashard Higgins," 23 Jan. 2021 Business groups and Republicans did both criticize Biden’s decision to kill the Keystone XL pipeline, but their similarities in posturing stop there. — Josh Siegel, Washington Examiner, "Daily on Energy: Big Business and GOP split on Paris climate agreement," 21 Jan. 2021

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.