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 Directors can emphasize its witchy aura, its bloodthirsty politics, its marital drama or critique of masculinity without endangering its essential stageworthiness. — New York Times, 29 Apr. 2022 The shows vary in their approach and critique of workplace culture. — Ray A. Smith, WSJ, 20 Apr. 2022 Instruction includes a weekly tutorial, individual feedback and critique, and a weekly Zoom session where the class can discuss topics and share their work with each other. — Hartford Courant, 13 Apr. 2022 Each is deployed as a comedic foil for whatever point Flanary wants to make, whether a high-minded critique of prior authorization or a farcical look at how residency works. — Damian Garde, STAT, 25 Mar. 2022 Kotek declined an interview request and offered no comments on Helt’s legislation and critique of lawmakers’ oversight as weak. — oregonlive, 7 Dec. 2021 Gates’s critique and the white executive’s incredulous reaction to the Huxtables’ lifestyle reflected the damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t dilemma that Cosby writers faced: Be Black, but not too Black. — Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2021 There’s also a broader critique that the young are inheriting mounds of college debt and intractable social ills. — BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2021 The biggest critique from Republicans has been that Biden and the Pentagon have been too quick to foreclose military options and too worried that aggressive U.S. efforts to arm the Ukrainians might spur Putin to widen the war. — Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The NewOnes, will free Us on the façade, my paintings mistikôsiwak (Wooden Boat People) in the Great Hall, and hundreds of other new works of art that comment on and critique the museum throughout its halls. — Chadd Scott, Forbes, 20 May 2021 These students also critique how adults understand their struggles — what is read as procrastination may be depression, or lethargy may be a lack of hope. — Yana Kunichoff, The Arizona Republic, 12 Apr. 2022 Katy isn’t sure how to critique him but wants to bathe him in lavender oil to calm him down. — Rodney Ho, ajc, 12 Apr. 2022 In short, what Hollywood people don’t want to do is to critique a political party, because there goes half the potential box office. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2022 His autobiography is a thoughtful contemplation of the role of design; a serious examination of the practice of architecture that simultaneously offers dishy takes on some of the most important people who commission, practice, and critique it. — The Editors, Town & Country, 8 Mar. 2022 However, the Florida controversy has shattered those norms, leading a critical mass of insiders to critique management, sometimes publicly and on social media platforms. — Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2022 The San Marcos Writers’ Critique Group meets from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays via Zoom for serious writers to critique each other’s writings. — Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Dec. 2021 Invited to critique the changes at the bar from a regular’s point of view, Leifermann struggled for a second. — Bob Townsend, ajc, 25 Mar. 2014 See More

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

Learn More About critique