critique

noun

cri·tique | \krə-ˈtēk,

kri-\

Definition of critique

(Entry 1 of 2)

: an act of criticizing especially : a critical (see critical sense 1c) estimate or discussion a critique of the poet's work an honest critique of her art

critique

verb

critiqued; critiquing

Definition of critique (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to examine critically : review critique the plan

Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about critique

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Synonyms for critique

Synonyms: Noun

criticism, notice, review

Did You Know?

Noun

Critique is an alteration of an archaic word that referred generally to criticism. Critique itself dates to the early 18th century and originally referred to a piece of writing that criticized a literary or artistic work. The words criticism, critique, and review overlap in meaning. Criticism usually means "the act of criticizing" or a "remark or comment that expresses disapproval," but it can also refer to the activity of making judgments about the qualities of books, movies, etc. (as in "literary criticism").Critique is a somewhat formal word that typically refers to a careful judgment in which someone gives an opinion about something. Review can refer to an essay analyzing a literary or artistic work, but can also sometimes imply a more casual or personal opinion.

Examples of critique in a Sentence

Noun

She wrote a radical critique of the philosopher's early essays. They gave a fair and honest critique of her art.

Verb

The class convened to critique the student's latest painting.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Nicki Minaj has verbally attacked a writer over a critique of latest music. — Niki Mcgloster, Essence.com, "The Quick Read: Kenya Moore Shows Off Her Growing Baby Bump On Instagram," 2 July 2018 The case the left makes against the Democrats The progressive critique of contemporary Democratic politics that emerged during the Obama years and defined the Sanders campaign is diverse enough to risk overgeneralization. — Sam Rosenfeld, Vox, "The Democratic Party is moving steadily leftward. So why does the left still distrust it?," 22 June 2018 Perhaps the critique the Times gets the most is from readers wanting more of their political ideology reflected. — Rebecca Keegan, HWD, "How The Fourth Estate Kept The New York Times’s Glenn Thrush Scandal on the Record," 13 June 2018 That jab was the latest critique of the social network, which has already taken hits from consumer and privacy advocates, key members of both parties in the U.S. Congress and European lawmakers. — Kurt Wagner, Recode, "Apple took another swipe at Facebook," 4 June 2018 The moral economists’ critique was socialist, but in a different way. — The Economist, "Corbynomics would change Britain—but not in the way most people think," 17 May 2018 To them, the critiques of Adams were wholly valid and his party’s intrusions on the Constitution dangerous on its own. — Jackie Mansky, Smithsonian, "The Age-Old Problem of “Fake News”," 7 May 2018 Some critics have focused on your critique of big tech in this movie. — Ryan Smith, Chicago Reader, "Film / Music / Politics Boots Riley on the ‘regular’ revolutionary messages of his radical debut film," 6 July 2018 Battle Royale isn’t as pointed in its social critique as some of the movies, novels, TV series, and comics that have come before or since. — Noel Murray, The Verge, "The First Purge’s release makes this a good weekend to watch Battle Royale on Netflix," 6 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

These, of course, are the portals to the world that dozens of artists explore, critique and celebrate in the show proper, a somewhat frenetic assemblage situated inside the museum’s fourth-floor galleries. — Steve Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "MCA's new 'I Was Raised on the Internet' exhibition asks what the web has done to us," 2 July 2018 From posting Instagram stories of Lonzo's food to critiquing each other's fashion choices, the two have a long history of roasting each other. — Nihal Kolur, SI.com, "Lonzo Ball Releases Kyle Kuzma Diss Track," 11 June 2018 On a conference call this spring with colleagues, Mr. Harford, the company’s chief operating officer, critiqued a new ad that showed a mixed-race couple, said five people familiar with the conversation. — New York Times, "At Uber, New Questions Arise About Executive Behavior," 13 July 2018 Cole, while doing Shakespeare, also critiques the privilege of the text, in all its hegemonic Anglo majesty. — Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, "At Gift, a 'Hamlet' with all kinds of ambition," 13 June 2018 John's not bringing me his songs to critique, either. — Tom Roland, Billboard, "Downtown Music Publishing Promotes Steve Markland to SVP A&R in Nashville," 24 Apr. 2018 In an age of increasingly polarizing politics, Tester’s 30-second spot didn’t critique the president. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, "Republican Montana Senate candidates embody Trump in effort to take on Tester," 1 June 2018 The Duchess of Sussex made a stunning appearance in a blush Prada skirt set, but some viewers still spoke out on social media to critique her sitting style. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle Crossed Her Legs at a Royal Function—But Other Royals Have Done It Before," 27 June 2018 Last year, Clinton came to 11-year-old Barron Trump's defense when people critiqued his outfits for being too casual. — Emma Baty, Cosmopolitan, "FYI, Ivanka Trump and Chelsea Clinton Are No Longer Friends," 6 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'critique.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for critique

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

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