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
Geller, a former Democratic state lawmaker and county party chair, said that state policies on school choice and federal action spurring deportations could be detractors.
—
Austin Horn,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
The decision was preceded by several decades of fervent debate and disagreement among practitioners; detractors argued that adding the disorder was reckless, if not mercenary.
—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
There are plenty of cruise detractors out there.
—
Scott Laird,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Of course, the unapologetic lesbian romance starring two straight women wasn’t without its detractors.
—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
Trump has praised it, but the structure has had plenty of detractors.
—
Mark Puleo,
New York Times,
14 June 2026
Zeleznikar has heard from detractors that point to how Minnesota was just awarded host rights for the NFL draft in 2028.
—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
10 June 2026
The Knicks tuned out their fans and detractors alike.
—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
9 June 2026
Media and fandom fueled the trial’s chaotic atmosphere Given Jackson’s stardom, news and tabloid media swarmed the scene of the trial along with droves of dedicated fans (and a much smaller contingent of detractors).
—
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2026
Austin Horn,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
The decision was preceded by several decades of fervent debate and disagreement among practitioners; detractors argued that adding the disorder was reckless, if not mercenary.
—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
There are plenty of cruise detractors out there.
—
Scott Laird,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Of course, the unapologetic lesbian romance starring two straight women wasn’t without its detractors.
—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
Trump has praised it, but the structure has had plenty of detractors.
—
Mark Puleo,
New York Times,
14 June 2026
Zeleznikar has heard from detractors that point to how Minnesota was just awarded host rights for the NFL draft in 2028.
—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
10 June 2026
The Knicks tuned out their fans and detractors alike.
—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
9 June 2026
Media and fandom fueled the trial’s chaotic atmosphere Given Jackson’s stardom, news and tabloid media swarmed the scene of the trial along with droves of dedicated fans (and a much smaller contingent of detractors).
—
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detractor
Noun
-
Chait narrowly averted a three-union strike in April with agreements that restored labor peace — but left critics questioning whether the school system could afford the pact, and whether Carvalho would have held out for a more affordable deal.
-
Saturday’s result in Kansas City — along with Cape Verde’s scoreless tie against Spain — may silence critics.
Noun
-
In turn, the criticizer is made out to be overreacting.
Cite this Entry
“Detractor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detractor. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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