as in critics
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 detractors
Johnson’s detractors accuse him of championing Bukele despite his increasing abuses of power.
—
T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
In response, Koh pushed for robust products on tight deadlines to prove her detractors wrong, especially during Spring’s early years.
—Alice Park, Time, 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 points.
—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
T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
In response, Koh pushed for robust products on tight deadlines to prove her detractors wrong, especially during Spring’s early years.
—Alice Park, Time, 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 points.
—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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detractors
critics
Noun
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At the same time, the pushback from critics highlights that there is still debate about whether these safeguards go far enough.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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But that effort is somewhat diminished by her history with policies that critics say work against women.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detractors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detractors. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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