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
Osaka hasn’t let the disappointments and detractors of the last nearly five years derail her.
—
Sean Gregory, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
Supporters and detractors have plenty of ammunition for their differing views about him.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2025
To call off the project now, as many of its detractors in the White House desire, would waste years of advancement.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
In a time when every move can become a cultural flashpoint, companies undergoing a rebrand must expect detractors.
—Jim Heininger, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Edmonds devotes the second half of his book to detractors of the pond and to opponents of a utilitarian approach to aid—some of whom, of course, have developed thought experiments of their own.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
One of the sticks Arteta’s detractors beat him with is how much money Arsenal have spent in pursuit of success.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
There are some detractors, though, who chide the Chiefs tight end for his activity off the field.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Despite its detractors, college remains the pathway with the most promise for Americans’ economic mobility.
—Braulio Colón, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2025
Sean Gregory, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
Supporters and detractors have plenty of ammunition for their differing views about him.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2025
To call off the project now, as many of its detractors in the White House desire, would waste years of advancement.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
In a time when every move can become a cultural flashpoint, companies undergoing a rebrand must expect detractors.
—Jim Heininger, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Edmonds devotes the second half of his book to detractors of the pond and to opponents of a utilitarian approach to aid—some of whom, of course, have developed thought experiments of their own.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
One of the sticks Arteta’s detractors beat him with is how much money Arsenal have spent in pursuit of success.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
There are some detractors, though, who chide the Chiefs tight end for his activity off the field.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Despite its detractors, college remains the pathway with the most promise for Americans’ economic mobility.
—Braulio Colón, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detractors
critics
Noun
-
The scene touched the hearts of viewers and earned rave reviews from critics.—
Carson Blackwelder,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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But Kennedy has already propagated an insidious revolution within the agencies under his control, using a playbook familiar to illiberal leaders—culling expertise, silencing critics, and weaponizing administrative procedure to grant a veneer of legitimacy to his actions.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detractors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detractors. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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