1
a
: one who engages often professionally in the analysis, evaluation, or appreciation of works of art or artistic performances
a literary critic
a film critic
a theater critic
b
: one who expresses a reasoned opinion on any matter especially involving a judgment of its value, truth, righteousness, beauty, or technique
Critics of the new law say that it will not reduce crime.
2
: one given to harsh or captious judgment
a fierce critic of immigration policies
Examples of critic in a Sentence
Noun (1)
the president's hard-core critics are going to attack him no matter what he does
the restaurant critic said that the fries at that fast-food outlet were the worst she'd ever eaten
Recent Examples on the Web
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
In the 2022 and 2024 cycles, pro-Israel groups swung into Democratic primaries, spending money against progressive critics of the Jewish state and keeping several out of Congress.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2025
His face was on stamps and billboards; hundreds of his critics were detained or deported.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Sprawling regulations backed by the Left are discouraging development across the country, critics say, as Democratic agendas play out in the public arena.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for critic
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Although official critics' reviews are under embargo, many journalists flooded social media with their gushing reactions to the movie.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
In the 2022 and 2024 cycles, pro-Israel groups swung into Democratic primaries, spending money against progressive critics of the Jewish state and keeping several out of Congress.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2025
His face was on stamps and billboards; hundreds of his critics were detained or deported.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Sprawling regulations backed by the Left are discouraging development across the country, critics say, as Democratic agendas play out in the public arena.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for critic
Cite this Entry
“Critic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/critic. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share