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
Carbon capture and sequestration technology is expensive, unproven and possibly dangerous, say detractors like Kerwin Olson, the executive director of the Citizens Action Coalition, a consumer advocacy group.
—
Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 30 Oct. 2025
Despite its vast potential, fusion has its share of detractors.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2025
The athlete has embraced the term given to her by her detractors, and trademarked it and created merchandise, including naming one of her sneaker colorways after it.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
However, the series wasn't without its detractors.
—Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Without a flashy passing game, Iowa’s style of play generates plenty of detractors.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
But everything else — revenue sharing and NIL deals that hinge on endorsements and appearances — is where those detractors tend to draw the line.
—Andrea Williams, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
Visconti said Kirk's detractors typically misinterpreted Kirk or twisted his comments out of context.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 22 Oct. 2025
This was the Kuminga that even his biggest detractors had to acknowledge existed somewhere.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 30 Oct. 2025
Despite its vast potential, fusion has its share of detractors.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2025
The athlete has embraced the term given to her by her detractors, and trademarked it and created merchandise, including naming one of her sneaker colorways after it.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
However, the series wasn't without its detractors.
—Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Without a flashy passing game, Iowa’s style of play generates plenty of detractors.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
But everything else — revenue sharing and NIL deals that hinge on endorsements and appearances — is where those detractors tend to draw the line.
—Andrea Williams, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
Visconti said Kirk's detractors typically misinterpreted Kirk or twisted his comments out of context.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 22 Oct. 2025
This was the Kuminga that even his biggest detractors had to acknowledge existed somewhere.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detractor
Noun
-
One of Guiducci’s first moves was overhauling the magazine’s Hollywood staff, such as by jettisoning some of the publication’s movie critics.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Mexico City Reuters — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum promised on Sunday there would be justice for the brazen murder of a local mayor, Carlos Manzo, an outspoken critic of organized crime who had called on the government to do more to protect him and others.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
2 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 6 Nov. 2025.
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