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

HBO later issued a statement criticizing Maher's statements.

— leada gore, AL.com, "Bill Maher apologizes for using 'n-word;' HBO says slur is 'inexcusable'", 3 June 2017
Many state governments have criticized the ban as a blow to beef and leather exports that will leave hundreds of thousands jobless and deprive millions of Christians, Muslims and poor Hindus of a cheap source of protein.

— the associated press, The Seattle Times, "South Indian court orders 4 week stay on cow slaughter rules", 30 May 2017
For passengers, workers and tabloids that have criticized the industry’s ruthless cost reductions for years, the disruptions seemed to prove that airlines have gone too far.

— richard weiss, Bloomberg.com, "British Air Meltdown Feeds Outrage at Tight-Fisted Airlines", 29 May 2017
For passengers, workers and tabloids that have criticized the industry's ruthless cost reductions for years, the disruptions seemed to prove that airlines have gone too far.

— richard weiss, chicagotribune.com, "British Air meltdown feeds outrage at tight-fisted airlines", 29 May 2017
Jonathan Turley, a lawyer and professor at the George Washington University Law School, said the District’s courts have long been criticized for their slow pace.

— peter jamison, Washington Post, "This woman’s sexual discrimination case against D.C. has lasted 27 years", 29 May 2017
His partner, U.S. white nationalist Richard Spencer, has been criticized for doing the same thing by hate-watch groups such as the Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center.

— carol schaeffer, The Atlantic, "How Hungary Became a Haven for the Alt-Right", 28 May 2017
P3s more generally have been criticized for limiting democratic control of public assets.

— david dayen, The Intercept, "Trump’s “America First“ Infrastructure Plan: Let Saudi Arabia and Blackstone Take Care of It", 27 May 2017
Mr. Trump has angrily criticized leaks from his government, many of them revealing information that has been embarrassing or politically damaging to him.

— michael d. shear and steven erlanger, New York Times, "Trump Condemns ‘Alleged Leaks,’ After Complaints From Britain", 25 May 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.