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What’s the difference between criticism and critique? There’s some overlap in meaning, but they’re not the same in every situation. Criticism is most often used broadly to refer to the act of negatively criticizing someone or something (“I’m more interested in encouragement right now than criticism”) or a remark or comment that expresses disapproval (“She shared a minor criticism about the design”), while critique is a more formal word for a carefully expressed judgment, opinion, or evaluation of both the good and bad qualities of something—for example, books or movies. Thus, a critic can write a critique that may be full of criticism.
Synonyms
Examples of critique in a Sentence
Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 26 Nov. 2023
Former defense secretary Robert Gates offered a harsh critique of President Barack Obama’s judgments that was used as a cudgel by Obama’s critics.
—Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 20 Nov. 2023
Some of those performances sparked viral critique about her stage presence, a growing point of contention for many artists whose careers began and exploded within the confines of the pandemic.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2023
Another critique of the study is its lack of diverse representation, LaPook notes.
—CBS News, 13 Nov. 2023
The GOP offensive started during the 2020 election as public critiques and has since escalated into lawsuits, governmental inquiries and public relations campaigns that have succeeded in stopping almost all coordination between the government and social media platforms.
—Kevin Collier, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2023
But even within that critique, Collins leaves room for a soulful folk singer — the title’s metaphorical songbird — to serve as the voice of resistance.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 Nov. 2023
In an effort to bring The Human Stain and its critiques into the present day, much of the discussion focused on the controversy surrounding Jeanine Cummins’s 2020 novel American Dirt, which imagines a Mexican family’s harrowing migration across the border.
—Hannah Gold, Harper's Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
When Jezebel was founded, there were other spaces for feminist critique of culture and politics at large, but Jezebel was the most eager to get into a cafeteria brawl with it.
—Erin Gloria Ryan, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2023
Genevieve Cepeda, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023
Beyond fostering a daily culture where speaking up and advocating is celebrated not critiqued, safety also comes from feeling seen in the benefits and accommodations offered that prioritize an employee’s whole health.
—Alexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 21 Nov. 2023
They were also critiqued on on-the-spot team challenges, including designing devices that study the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster reef ecosystem.
—Sydney Page, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023
For some, having every move, word, and body part critiqued by the internet is a special kind of horror house.
—WIRED, 27 Sep. 2023
In the past, groups of major talent have swung by the show to offer advice to specific teams, or a Key Advisor has critiqued every competition.
—Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2023
Scholars like Kimberlé Crenshaw have critiqued the way that liberal jurisprudence limits the scope of liberation.
—Samuel Clowes Huneke, The New Republic, 26 Oct. 2023
But social media trolls have viciously critiqued and labeled these depictions as part of a politically correct feminist agenda.
—Cara Ocobock, Scientific American, 19 Oct. 2023
The chooser then takes off their clothes so the potential dates can critique their body before a final choice is made.
—Rudie Obias, Variety, 26 Sep. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'critique.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Noun
borrowed from French, borrowed from Latin critica "evaluation of literary works," borrowed from Greek kritikḗ noun derivative from feminine of kritikós "discerning, capable of judging" — more at critic entry 1
Verb
derivative of critique entry 1
Phrases Containing critique
Articles Related to critique
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Cite this Entry
“Critique.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/critique. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
critique
1 of 2 noun
More from Merriam-Webster on critique
Nglish: Translation of critique for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of critique for Arabic Speakers
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