Synonym Chooser

How does the verb criticize differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of criticize are censure, condemn, denounce, reprehend, and reprobate. While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions.

criticized the police for using violence

Where would censure be a reasonable alternative to criticize?

In some situations, the words censure and criticize are roughly equivalent. However, censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

When might condemn be a better fit than criticize?

While the synonyms condemn and criticize are close in meaning, condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

How are the words denounce and condemn related as synonyms of criticize?

Denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

When is it sensible to use reprehend instead of criticize?

Although the words reprehend and criticize have much in common, reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

When could reprobate be used to replace criticize?

The synonyms reprobate and criticize are sometimes interchangeable, but reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.

reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

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 criticize Civil rights leaders criticized the federal government at the time for failing to prioritize equitable access in communities of color. Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025 He’s gone viral for opposing Republican state lawmakers moving to add the Ten Commandments to public classrooms, and at another point for criticizing those lawmakers for not adopting stricter gun laws in the face of mass shootings. Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2025 Others criticized his remarks but wished him well. Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 13 Sep. 2025 Left-wing critics—including members of his own party—have resisted his attempts to cut welfare spending, and argue that Britain hasn’t sufficiently criticized Israel’s war in Gaza. Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for criticize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criticize
Verb
  • Delta blames a global IT outage last summer for its performance problems.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The author compromises our trust in his appeal — likely unconsciously — by his blaming only one side.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • International organizations swiftly condemned the lethal crackdown by police and called for an independent investigation.
    Sugam Pokharel, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The United Kingdom and France condemned Israel's strikes in Doha in separate statements.
    Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Hoffman, the lawmaker who was shot and wounded in June, and his family also issued a statement denouncing Kirk’s death.
    Mark Vancleave, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Online posts, including one shared by the Idaho Freedom Foundation, a far-right think tank, denounced Berriochoa and prompted calls to the Department of Labor and even former employers and educators of Berriochoa.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Many members of the Venezuelan opposition, Straka said, have long relished calling out government supporters for treating Hugo Chávez, Maduro’s predecessor, as a messiah, but they can be faulted for believing, with similar fervor, that American salvation is coming.
    Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Adapting this chaos‑engineering philosophy through recovery drills, fault injection and regular testing exposes hidden dependencies and builds confidence.
    Mukul Garg, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Criticize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criticize. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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