1
2
3
4

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective critical contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of critical are captious, carping, censorious, faultfinding, and hypercritical. While all these words mean "inclined to look for and point out faults and defects," critical may also imply an effort to see a thing clearly and truly in order to judge it fairly.

a critical essay

When might captious be a better fit than critical?

While the synonyms captious and critical are close in meaning, captious suggests a readiness to detect trivial faults or raise objections on trivial grounds.

a captious critic

Where would carping be a reasonable alternative to critical?

The synonyms carping and critical are sometimes interchangeable, but carping implies an ill-natured or perverse picking of flaws.

a carping editorial

When could censorious be used to replace critical?

The words censorious and critical can be used in similar contexts, but censorious implies a disposition to be severely critical and condemnatory.

the censorious tone of the review

When can faultfinding be used instead of critical?

Although the words faultfinding and critical have much in common, faultfinding implies a querulous or exacting temperament.

a faultfinding reviewer

When is it sensible to use hypercritical instead of critical?

The words hypercritical and critical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hypercritical suggests a tendency to judge by unreasonably strict standards.

hypercritical disparagement of other people's work

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of critical One critical focus would be air and missile defense, including integrating early-warning radars, interceptors, and long-range surface-to-air missile systems to protect against potential threats. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025 While these events are rare, quick access and visibility are critical to keeping everyone onboard safe. Zach Wichter, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025 Today, Nate considers her support critical to his success. Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025 Denver also made critical mistakes throughout, including kicker Wil Lutz clanking a 42-yard attempt off the right upright on the previous drive that would have extended the lead. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for critical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for critical
Adjective
  • Akerman turns the youths’ judgmental sociology into a romantic rhapsody with a shot that glides forward, from a wide view of Michèle and Paul submerged in a crowd to a tight double closeup of the two kissing.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Such judgmental questions shut down creativity.
    David Henkin, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • TeamSmile also launched a new pilot program to deliver essential dental care for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), highlighting the urgent need for accessible treatment for these kids.
    Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
  • This means distinguishing between urgent and important tasks, eliminating unnecessary metrics and communications, clarifying policies, and setting clear expectations.
    Kotter, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Guiding principles, both personal and professional, are just as crucial as having the right policy goals.
    Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The Chinese artist will bring his expertise as a glonal artist to guide the contestants through this crucial semi-final stage.
    Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These two energies seduced me to find womxn who, through their artistic work, were open to rebellious acts such as publishing art books on essential topics.
    Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The Panthers are paying their offensive line a fortune, and Hubbard is here for the long haul, focusing on those two variables is essential.
    DIAMOND VENCES, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In women, nerve issues or a cystocele (a type of pelvic organ prolapse, or dropped bladder) can alter flow, but acute urinary retention is much less common, affecting only about 3 in 100,000 women each year.
    Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Kazakhstan’s president recognizes the acute competition for investors’ dollars.
    Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The concerns colored their respective candidacies to the point that key races were lost.
    Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Future of Space Technologies Remote sensing, earth observation, digital biosphere twinning – space technologies are key here, too.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Is Executive Order 14224 even necessary?
    Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The partial closure order was coordinated with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office, along with multiple local, state, and federal agency cooperators, to identify the minimum area necessary for the safety of firefighting resources and forest visitors.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • During World War I, between shifts as an emergency ambulance driver in France, Richardson calculated how the local weather would evolve over six hours, starting with the atmospheric conditions provided by weather balloon observations on a particular morning in 1910.
    Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Playing an instrument, in particular, engages every facet of your brain.
    Ayana Underwood, SELF, 15 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Critical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/critical. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on critical

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!