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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 detractor
Quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Jalen Hurts have outstanding pedigrees and produced in Super Bowls yet still have their detractors nationwide and within the fan base.
—
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
The choice stunned supporters and detractors alike.
—Dallas Morning News, 3 Jan. 2026
Praise for Hurricanes Praise for the Canes this week has poured in from the dean of college coaches, several UM football luminaries and even one of the program’s recent detractors.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2026
The Bolt had both its fans and detractors; the unpretentious crossover won over motorists for its range and simplicity at an appealing price.
—Morgan Korn, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2025
City officials say the videos, which feature choreographed music and of course no tough questions or detractors, are not produced by outside vendors that would cost extra money.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
Alabama dropped two of its final four games entering the CFP, and there were plenty of detractors that believed the Tide didn’t deserve a spot.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
Vanity Fair photographer defends his work Both fans and detractors characterized the photos as being a diss intended to make the administration look bad.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
The financial program has a long roster of detractors who question its economic impact.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
The choice stunned supporters and detractors alike.
—Dallas Morning News, 3 Jan. 2026
Praise for Hurricanes Praise for the Canes this week has poured in from the dean of college coaches, several UM football luminaries and even one of the program’s recent detractors.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2026
The Bolt had both its fans and detractors; the unpretentious crossover won over motorists for its range and simplicity at an appealing price.
—Morgan Korn, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2025
City officials say the videos, which feature choreographed music and of course no tough questions or detractors, are not produced by outside vendors that would cost extra money.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
Alabama dropped two of its final four games entering the CFP, and there were plenty of detractors that believed the Tide didn’t deserve a spot.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
Vanity Fair photographer defends his work Both fans and detractors characterized the photos as being a diss intended to make the administration look bad.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
The financial program has a long roster of detractors who question its economic impact.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detractor
Noun
-
Then, Hayes was accused of being a sore loser by critics.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The Cannes-premiering film rates higher with critics than audiences so far but is the biggest ever box office for director Lynne Ramsey and an awards-season magnet for star Jennifer Lawrence’s career-defining performance.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
9 Nov. 2025
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 9 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share