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
Johnson’s detractors accuse him of championing Bukele despite his increasing abuses of power.
—
T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
As if to preëmpt her detractors, Burnett often resorted to brutal self-deprecation, describing herself in interviews as scrawny or bucktoothed.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
The zone zero plan has not been without detractors.
—Hannah Ruhoff, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025
His comeback monologue was broadly praised, aside from predictable detractors on the right.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
While his supporters see a pragmatist trying to make the best of a bad decision, his many detractors dismiss him as egotistical and unable to see his failures.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2025
Others said detractors misrepresented or misunderstood Kirk's beliefs.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Instead of using her platform to argue with her detractors, Reese made a countermove that simultaneously shored up her own brand by amplifying her commitment to societal change, and invalidated the critique.
—Timeka Tounsel, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Colbert is still telling Trump jokes on his show; meanwhile, Seth Meyers, the host of NBC’s Late Night, is another prominent Trump detractor.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
As if to preëmpt her detractors, Burnett often resorted to brutal self-deprecation, describing herself in interviews as scrawny or bucktoothed.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
The zone zero plan has not been without detractors.
—Hannah Ruhoff, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025
His comeback monologue was broadly praised, aside from predictable detractors on the right.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
While his supporters see a pragmatist trying to make the best of a bad decision, his many detractors dismiss him as egotistical and unable to see his failures.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2025
Others said detractors misrepresented or misunderstood Kirk's beliefs.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Instead of using her platform to argue with her detractors, Reese made a countermove that simultaneously shored up her own brand by amplifying her commitment to societal change, and invalidated the critique.
—Timeka Tounsel, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Colbert is still telling Trump jokes on his show; meanwhile, Seth Meyers, the host of NBC’s Late Night, is another prominent Trump detractor.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detractor
Noun
-
Months after the Southern dining chain faced fierce backlash over a controversial logo rebrand blasted by critics, Cracker Barrel is giving away free pancakes to NFL fans in a bid to win back diners.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Since modern romance developed in the 1970s, these novels have been thoroughly ignored by highbrow critics and prestigious-award juries.—
Rebecca Ackermann,
The Atlantic,
5 Oct. 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 7 Oct. 2025.
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