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
For detractors, the film’s emotions lacks emotional impact.
—
John Hopewell, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
But many other comments mocked the shop along with its presidential namesake, with a few detractors posting memes of tearful snowflakes topped with red MAGA hats.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Onions, relish, fresh herbs, sugar and more all have fierce supporters and detractors.
—Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Apr. 2026
More than two decades later, however, criticism of the policy’s ineffectiveness has reached new heights as detractors argue the rule can be easily skirted as there’s no oversight.
—Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Ocean Aged at Sea has as many fans as detractors, so clearly Zoeller felt like expanding this concept—and introducing it to more consumers by partnering with a cruise ship line—was the right move.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2026
Even Kyler Murray’s biggest detractors can’t deny that getting the quarterback on the veteran minimum is excellent value.
—Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
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
John Hopewell, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
But many other comments mocked the shop along with its presidential namesake, with a few detractors posting memes of tearful snowflakes topped with red MAGA hats.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Onions, relish, fresh herbs, sugar and more all have fierce supporters and detractors.
—Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Apr. 2026
More than two decades later, however, criticism of the policy’s ineffectiveness has reached new heights as detractors argue the rule can be easily skirted as there’s no oversight.
—Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Ocean Aged at Sea has as many fans as detractors, so clearly Zoeller felt like expanding this concept—and introducing it to more consumers by partnering with a cruise ship line—was the right move.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2026
Even Kyler Murray’s biggest detractors can’t deny that getting the quarterback on the veteran minimum is excellent value.
—Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detractor
Noun
-
The critic Nathan Scott McNamara, writing in the Los Angeles Review of Books, has aptly compared NDiaye’s writing to that of Shirley Jackson, and NDiaye herself cites Joyce Carol Oates as a strong influence.—
Kristen Roupenian,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
And yet, when HB 1098 was introduced in 2023, critics dismissed it as a solution in search of a problem.—
Lisa Frizell,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 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 8 Apr. 2026.
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