as in criticism
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Recent Examples of thumbs-down
The essence of the review is evaluation, which of course doesn’t imply the crude simplicity of a thumbs-up or thumbs-down.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 24 July 2025
That legislation collapsed when then-Sen. John McCain famously cast a thumbs-down vote.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is determined to avoid that outcome, sticking to the schedule and pressing ahead with voting expected by the end of the week.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 26 June 2025
After some thumbs-up, thumbs-down tweaks, the images were surprisingly spot-on.
—Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 14 June 2025
Shareholders gave Zaslav a symbolic (read: non-binding) thumbs-down last week, when a majority of voters rejected his $51.9 million compensation package.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 June 2025
After the World Series and the Gold Glove, after a trade to New York, a thumbs-down to Mets fans, Báez signed with the Detroit Tigers on a six-year, $140 million deal.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Bakare then went on to gesture thumbs-up or thumbs-down.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
According to February Gallup polling, 42 percent of Americans are giving a thumbs-up to Trump’s economic stewardship while 54 percent are giving him a thumbs-down.
Approval of Trump’s handling of the economy also fell to 39 percent from 43 percent in polling released last week by Reuters/Ipsos.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 1 Mar. 2025
From thumbs-up to thumbs-downs, here’s how critics are reacting.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 24 July 2025
That legislation collapsed when then-Sen. John McCain famously cast a thumbs-down vote.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is determined to avoid that outcome, sticking to the schedule and pressing ahead with voting expected by the end of the week.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 26 June 2025
After some thumbs-up, thumbs-down tweaks, the images were surprisingly spot-on.
—Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 14 June 2025
Shareholders gave Zaslav a symbolic (read: non-binding) thumbs-down last week, when a majority of voters rejected his $51.9 million compensation package.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 June 2025
After the World Series and the Gold Glove, after a trade to New York, a thumbs-down to Mets fans, Báez signed with the Detroit Tigers on a six-year, $140 million deal.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Bakare then went on to gesture thumbs-up or thumbs-down.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
According to February Gallup polling, 42 percent of Americans are giving a thumbs-up to Trump’s economic stewardship while 54 percent are giving him a thumbs-down.
Approval of Trump’s handling of the economy also fell to 39 percent from 43 percent in polling released last week by Reuters/Ipsos.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 1 Mar. 2025
From thumbs-up to thumbs-downs, here’s how critics are reacting.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbs-down
Noun
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The criticism drew a sharp and dismissive response from Kelani Jordan.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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The move came on the heels of NFL analyst Rex Ryan's previous criticisms of Sanders’ outspoken nature.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Then there’s Vince Panaro, the main character of the season and weasel of all weasels, a man whose mere mention triggers noses wrinkling in distaste.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
27 Sep. 2025
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Or the public’s general distaste for being confronted with tetchy societal issues will still prevail; doom-scrolling should be done on one’s phone at home, not out in the world among other people.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The latest Gallup poll shows 52 percent disapproval and 42 percent approval.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
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Hegseth had previously expressed disapproval of women serving in combat roles.—
Max Rego,
The Hill,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Astin’s remarks come after a formal condemnation of Norwood from SAG-AFTRA, as well as outcry from dozens of actors, including Emily Blunt, Melissa Barrera, Lukas Gage and more.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
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Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid’s latest tour de force is an absurdist, boldly surprising condemnation of his homeland.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But those early rejections didn’t destroy their confidence.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
5 Oct. 2025
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This over-enthusiasm can backfire, leading to rejection.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Mike Hallquist to make a motion for Seals's censure, which failed and was followed by cheering support by Seals' supporters.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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The House voted to table the resolution 214-213, preventing it from moving to debate and a vote on the underlying censure, effectively ending Mace’s effort to formally reprimand Omar and remove her from committees.—
Emily Brooks,
The Hill,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Far from being simply a denunciation of marginalization, the song becomes a sincere embrace of vulnerable childhoods, highlighting the pain of those who grow up in poverty, neglect, and, often, are forced into crime as a means of survival.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
26 Sep. 2025
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Cinema sometimes has to know how to give in to a cause, but another thing entirely is to impoverish cinema by attributing to documentary cinema a mere and strict role of denunciation.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thumbs-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbs-down. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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