Thesaurus

criticize

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of criticize

to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of

people who criticize every single idea that the principal has for improving the school

Synonyms of criticize

blame, censure, condemn, denounce, dis (also diss) [slang], dispraise, fault, knock, pan, reprehend, slag [chiefly British]

Words Related to criticize

assail, attack, blast, clobber, slam, slash

nick (at), snipe (at)

beef, bellyache, bitch, carp, cavil, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grouse, growl, grumble, kick, kvetch, moan, murmur, mutter, niggle, quibble, whine

admonish, chide, drub, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, reprove

berate, castigate, crucify, excoriate, flay, gibbet, hammer, keelhaul, lambaste (or lambast), lash, pillory, scold, upbraid

bad-mouth, belittle, decry, deride, discommend, disparage, put down

Phrases Synonymous with criticize

come down hard (on), find fault (with), take to task

Near Antonyms of criticize

approve, commend, endorse (also indorse), recommend, sanction

Antonyms of criticize

extol (also extoll), laud, praise

Synonym Discussion of criticize

criticize, reprehend, censure, reprobate, condemn, denounce mean to find fault with openly. criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions.

- criticized the police for using violence

reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

- reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

- a Senator formally censured by his peers

reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.

- reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

- condemned the government's racial policies

denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

- a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

Learn More about criticize

Dictionary: Definition of criticize Spanish Central: Translation of criticize Nglish: Translation of criticize for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of criticize for Arabic speakers

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WORD OF THE DAY

cogent

appealing forcibly to the mind or reason