criticize

1 of 2

verb

crit·​i·​cize ˈkri-tə-ˌsīz 

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

ˈkri-tə-ˌsī-zə-bəl 

adjective

criticizer noun

criticizer

2 of 2

noun

crit·​i·​ciz·​er

variants also British criticiser

ˈkri-tə-ˌsī-zər

plural -s

: critic

Synonyms of criticize

Verb

• blame
• condemn
• denounce
• fault

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

Verb

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

Verb

Some parties, including wildfire survivors and some lawmakers that represent fire-scarred districts, had criticized his accountability measures as too loose. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026

The chorus of voices criticizing US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s bond buyback strategy grew Tuesday, with the harshest rebuke yet coming from a former mentor. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2026

But the union representing former Spirit flight attendants has criticized the carrier for selling the data. — Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

Since joining the court in 2022, Jackson has become a prolific and passionate dissenter, unafraid to criticize the conservative majority even when her fellow liberal justices do not always join her. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

critic entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

Verb

1621, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for criticize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

criticize

verb

crit·​i·​cize ˈkrit-ə-ˌsīz 

criticized; criticizing

1

: to examine and judge as a critic

2

: to find fault with