thumbs-down

noun

Definition of thumbs-downnext
as in criticism

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of thumbs-down But the Western States Petroleum Association, an industry trade group, gave Tuesday’s announcement a thumbs-down. — Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026 Ultimately, the Fillmore city council gave Aston the thumbs-down on Aston's bond idea. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2026 Those patients can provide feedback on Emmie’s responses with simple thumbs-up or thumbs-down reactions. — Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 14 Apr. 2026 For opponents, that can feel like the tennis equivalent of a thumbs-down from a Roman emperor. — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thumbs-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbs-down
  1. criticism
  2. distaste
  3. disapproval
  4. condemnation
  5. rejection
  6. censure
  7. denunciation
Noun
  • The justice ministry rejected the criticism, saying the proceedings complied with Syrian law and included the participation of victims and their representatives.
    — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The documentary spotlighted some harsh criticisms of the show and of Banks.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of criticism
Noun
  • The president’s distaste for Swift goes back ever farther than the most recent election.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Anecdotally, many professionals are reporting a distaste for emails that sound AI-generated.
    — James Davis, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of distaste
Noun
  • According to Warburton, Barbara shared her husband's devout Catholic faith and his strong disapproval of their son's most popular shows.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • As many hairstyles and hair colors as Theron has rocked over the years—and there have been many—there was one that got a stamp of disapproval from her daughters.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 30 July 2026
Definition of disapproval
Noun
  • Whether Tlaib is motivated by animus toward Moskowitz and Wasserman Schultz for their censure votes and condemnations of her rhetoric, or by support for their progressive opponents Larkin and Manley — or a combination — is unknown.
    — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Missing from the 62-page report — at least in the view of some longtime department observers — was any reflection about officers’ use of less-lethal weapons that left hundreds of people injured and drew strong condemnations from human rights groups.
    — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of condemnation
Noun
  • Indeed, both candidates prefer the hard work of actually governing over performative posturing, modeling a deliberate rejection of the political fringes.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Not as a rejection of his background, but as an expansion of what that background can hold.
    — Advertorial, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of rejection
Noun
  • Edwards dropped his reelection bid last week when the House Ethics Committee recommended censure.
    — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • If this committee finds Ammons at fault on any charge, the committee would make a disciplinary recommendation, which could be a reprimand, censure, expulsion from the House or no penalty.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of censure
Noun
  • The truth is that, despite the 2019 Business Roundtable denunciation of MSV, the pendulum never fully swung away from MSV.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • One of the few factors that could impede a Democratic wave in this year’s midterms is the party’s own unpopularity; polling suggests that plenty of voters outside college campuses might also nod along to El-Sayed’s denunciation of Democrats.
    — Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
Definition of denunciation

Browse Nearby Words

thumbs
thumbs-down
thumbs-downs
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Cite this Entry

“Thumbs-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbs-down. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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