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
The decision was a significant win for the town leadership, which has been under political fire from a band of detractors accusing it of being secretive and ignoring the will of voters.
—
Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 7 Jan. 2026
Quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Jalen Hurts have outstanding pedigrees and produced in Super Bowls yet still have their detractors nationwide and within the fan base.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
The choice stunned supporters and detractors alike.
—Dallas Morning News, 3 Jan. 2026
Praise for Hurricanes Praise for the Canes this week has poured in from the dean of college coaches, several UM football luminaries and even one of the program’s recent detractors.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2026
The Bolt had both its fans and detractors; the unpretentious crossover won over motorists for its range and simplicity at an appealing price.
—Morgan Korn, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2025
City officials say the videos, which feature choreographed music and of course no tough questions or detractors, are not produced by outside vendors that would cost extra money.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
Alabama dropped two of its final four games entering the CFP, and there were plenty of detractors that believed the Tide didn’t deserve a spot.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
Tagliabue certainly had his detractors, notably over concussions.
—NPR, 9 Nov. 2025
Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 7 Jan. 2026
Quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Jalen Hurts have outstanding pedigrees and produced in Super Bowls yet still have their detractors nationwide and within the fan base.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
The choice stunned supporters and detractors alike.
—Dallas Morning News, 3 Jan. 2026
Praise for Hurricanes Praise for the Canes this week has poured in from the dean of college coaches, several UM football luminaries and even one of the program’s recent detractors.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2026
The Bolt had both its fans and detractors; the unpretentious crossover won over motorists for its range and simplicity at an appealing price.
—Morgan Korn, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2025
City officials say the videos, which feature choreographed music and of course no tough questions or detractors, are not produced by outside vendors that would cost extra money.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
Alabama dropped two of its final four games entering the CFP, and there were plenty of detractors that believed the Tide didn’t deserve a spot.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
Tagliabue certainly had his detractors, notably over concussions.
—NPR, 9 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detractors
critics
Noun
-
Then, Hayes was accused of being a sore loser by critics.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Health care experts and politicians on both sides of the aisle agree that medical schools must find ways to lower their costs, but critics of the loan caps say limiting federal lending isn’t the answer.—
Tribune News Service,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detractors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detractors. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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