as in critic
a person who criticizes something or someone
Despite his popularity, his many detractors still think his work is overrated. Even her detractors had to admit that she had made the company successful.
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Recent Examples of detractor
Stevie Martin, actor one of the more recent examples, David Mitchell and Robert Webb’ Channel 4 sketch show Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping, passionately hit out at detractors.
—
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2026
From Democratic senators to industry insiders, detractors came down hard on the deal.
—Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Caesar's few detractors reconsidered.
—CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Despite the enthusiasm around the project, which would have introduced Ryan Kiera Armstrong as the new slayer alongside Gellar’s Buffy, Gellar pointed to at least one very vocal detractor.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Other detractors have included Juliette Binoche, Andrea Bocelli and Doja Cat — though Doja Cat later retracted her comments and admitted to using the controversy to get attention.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
Laporta’s detractors point to his record of promises that didn't pan out.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Despite his detractors in Colorado, Rae has many supporters there, too.
—Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
Tesla, which has its die-hard fans and detractors — with founder Elon Musk the particular magnet for like or dislike — will fill the long-shuttered Toys R Us building that has been vacant since June 2018.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2026
From Democratic senators to industry insiders, detractors came down hard on the deal.
—Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Caesar's few detractors reconsidered.
—CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Despite the enthusiasm around the project, which would have introduced Ryan Kiera Armstrong as the new slayer alongside Gellar’s Buffy, Gellar pointed to at least one very vocal detractor.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Other detractors have included Juliette Binoche, Andrea Bocelli and Doja Cat — though Doja Cat later retracted her comments and admitted to using the controversy to get attention.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
Laporta’s detractors point to his record of promises that didn't pan out.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Despite his detractors in Colorado, Rae has many supporters there, too.
—Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
Tesla, which has its die-hard fans and detractors — with founder Elon Musk the particular magnet for like or dislike — will fill the long-shuttered Toys R Us building that has been vacant since June 2018.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detractor
Noun
-
Bondi accused of shielding Epstein associates The impeachment articles also target Bondi's handling of the Epstein files, which have earned her critics on both sides of the aisle in Congress.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
-
A number of critics see green shoots in the show and a few really warmed to it.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In turn, the criticizer is made out to be overreacting.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detractor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detractor. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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