THUMBS-DOWN Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

thumbs-down

noun

Definition of thumbs-down

as in criticism

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 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 The Department of Justice and the Treasury subjected the question of whether the change could be made without congressional action to their gimlet-eyed scrutiny, and turned thumbs-down. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 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

Noun

The legislation faced sharp criticism at home and abroad, and thousands of Slovaks repeatedly took to the streets to protest the law.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Asked about the greenwashing criticism, a Council spokesperson said companies active in the fossil fuel sector can still contribute to the transition, for example by developing low-carbon fuels or building electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

— Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of criticism

Noun

Trump's overall job approval has fallen to approximately 40%, with 57% disapproval — numbers that Brookings Institution analysts say, if sustained through November, would be sufficient to flip the House to Democratic control.

— Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Some users in the comments expressed disapproval of Rowling's visit due to previous comments that many deemed to be transphobic.

— Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 30 June 2026

Definition of disapproval

Noun

Following an inspection in March, the city issued a formal notice of condemnation and order to vacate, as only about 17% of the rooms inspected passed.

— Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
The admission drew immediate condemnation from Democratic lawmakers.

— Ana Ceballos Follow, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of condemnation

Noun

Trump’s rejection of the bipartisan housing legislation exacerbates tensions with his own party in a midterm election year and cuts short their efforts to address a key voter concern about rising costs.

— Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
And from faculty lounges today comes a gigantic rejection of the Humphrey-to-Obama synthesis.

— David Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

Definition of rejection

Noun

After the censure on Monday, Hulsey again tried to exclude the city administrator from council business when the governing body went into executive session.

— Rachel Royster July 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026
The escalation should start with a warning from the chair, followed by a motion of the board of censure (asking the owner to quiet down), followed by a motion to eject the offending owner from the meeting.

— Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026

Definition of censure

Noun

His denunciation so incensed far-right Israelis that a number of activists were detained while protesting his son’s bar mitzvah in Jerusalem the next year, Emanuel recalled.

— Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Three words The lengthiest denunciation of Tyndale’s translation came from More, the English humanist who was King Henry VIII’s leading political official.

— Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 30 June 2026

Definition of denunciation

Browse Nearby Words

thumbs

thumbs-down

thumbs-downs

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Thumbs-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbs-down. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of thumbs-down

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

xeric

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes