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
Stevie Martin, actor one of the more recent examples, David Mitchell and Robert Webb’ Channel 4 sketch show Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping, passionately hit out at detractors.
—
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2026
From Democratic senators to industry insiders, detractors came down hard on the deal.
—Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Caesar's few detractors reconsidered.
—CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Other detractors have included Juliette Binoche, Andrea Bocelli and Doja Cat — though Doja Cat later retracted her comments and admitted to using the controversy to get attention.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
Laporta’s detractors point to his record of promises that didn't pan out.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Despite his detractors in Colorado, Rae has many supporters there, too.
—Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
Tesla, which has its die-hard fans and detractors — with founder Elon Musk the particular magnet for like or dislike — will fill the long-shuttered Toys R Us building that has been vacant since June 2018.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
In fact, at this point, there are probably more detractors than fans.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 10 Mar. 2026
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2026
From Democratic senators to industry insiders, detractors came down hard on the deal.
—Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Caesar's few detractors reconsidered.
—CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Other detractors have included Juliette Binoche, Andrea Bocelli and Doja Cat — though Doja Cat later retracted her comments and admitted to using the controversy to get attention.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
Laporta’s detractors point to his record of promises that didn't pan out.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Despite his detractors in Colorado, Rae has many supporters there, too.
—Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
Tesla, which has its die-hard fans and detractors — with founder Elon Musk the particular magnet for like or dislike — will fill the long-shuttered Toys R Us building that has been vacant since June 2018.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
In fact, at this point, there are probably more detractors than fans.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detractors
critics
Noun
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The head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in the UAE, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, who has become one of the most vocal critics of Iran's actions, bluntly calls it economic terrorism.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Some critics have raised privacy and free expression concerns, and this year lawmakers have been at odds after House Republicans introduced a version of the bill with fewer protections.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detractors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detractors. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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