as in criticism
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Recent Examples of thumbs-down
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
That drew extended cheers while people in the crowd made thumbs-down gestures to signify McCain’s opposition to the GOP effort to repeal it.
—Will Weissert, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2024
In late August, Lindor and good friend Javier Baez, whom the Mets acquired weeks earlier from the Chicago Cubs, began flashing a thumbs-down sign upon getting base hits in response to fans who booed the team throughout a disappointing season.
—Jerry Beach, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
Is there any gesture in our visual vernacular more visceral than a thumbs-down?
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2024
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
That drew extended cheers while people in the crowd made thumbs-down gestures to signify McCain’s opposition to the GOP effort to repeal it.
—Will Weissert, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2024
In late August, Lindor and good friend Javier Baez, whom the Mets acquired weeks earlier from the Chicago Cubs, began flashing a thumbs-down sign upon getting base hits in response to fans who booed the team throughout a disappointing season.
—Jerry Beach, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
Is there any gesture in our visual vernacular more visceral than a thumbs-down?
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbs-down
Noun
-
When the new Tesla Model 3 came out at the end of 2023 (which the company claims isn’t called Highland despite everyone else calling it that), its lack of an indicator stalk (like the Model S Plaid) garnered criticism.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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The decision comes after months of criticism for punishing a woman fencer who refused to fence a trans opponent, which included scrutiny from federal lawmakers at a congressional hearing in early May.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
His restlessness, his distaste for corrupt and abusive authorities, and his knack for provoking rival journalists had eventually made Virginia City too hot to hold him.—
Lauren Michele Jackson,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
-
President Donald Trump is once again letting his distaste for Bruce Springsteen be known after the musician slammed him and his administration during two recent concerts.—
Anna Chan,
Billboard,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Majorities of Californians disapprove of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s performance, with a 54% disapproval rating.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2025
-
May 12-13 poll, while his disapproval rating held at 52%.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2025
Noun
-
Condolences to Iran, condemnations of Israel Hezbollah and its leader, Naim Kassem, have condemned Israel’s attacks and offered condolences for the senior Iranian officers who were killed.—
Abby Sewell,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
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Politicians across New York offered similar condemnations.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2025
Noun
-
Trump’s rejection of the proposal was first reported by Reuters.—
Aamer Madhani,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2025
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Protest organizers have framed the move as a rejection of the spectacle, which will mark the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army as well as the 79th birthday of President Trump.—
Miriam Waldvogel,
The Hill,
14 June 2025
Noun
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While the censure resolution easily passed the House, only 22 Democrats voted in favor of it.—
Michael Graham,
Boston Herald,
6 June 2025
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Stupar declined to comment on the censure, referring any questions to Lynch, who is president of the board.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2025
Noun
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Virginia Democratic candidates were also unequivocal in their denunciations of Jenkins, the former sheriff of Culpeper County.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
27 May 2025
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His advocacy for care of migrants and the poor, his tolerance for homosexuality, and his denunciation of climate change and conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine helped reset the world’s moral compass.—
Aryn Baker,
Time,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thumbs-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbs-down. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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