as in criticism
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Recent Examples of thumbs-down
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
Google is also asking users to give feedback about personalization via the thumbs-down button.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
However, users can mark any ad with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to help manage their ads preferences.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
Drivers honked their horns in support, while supporters gave thumbs-down reactions to those frequenting the coffee chain.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 23 Nov. 2025
When asked who is the better cook, the pair hilariously reacted by both making faces and giving thumbs-down signs.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
The evening prior, a clip of Justin Bieber in full Jays gear went viral after the Swag singer was seen responding to one of Shohei Ohtani‘s home runs with a thumbs-down.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025
These sites cut against the stereotypical image of a critic as an expert dispensing a thumbs-up or thumbs-down like a Roman emperor.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
However, users can mark any ad with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to help manage their ads preferences.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Google is also asking users to give feedback about personalization via the thumbs-down button.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
However, users can mark any ad with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to help manage their ads preferences.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
Drivers honked their horns in support, while supporters gave thumbs-down reactions to those frequenting the coffee chain.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 23 Nov. 2025
When asked who is the better cook, the pair hilariously reacted by both making faces and giving thumbs-down signs.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
The evening prior, a clip of Justin Bieber in full Jays gear went viral after the Swag singer was seen responding to one of Shohei Ohtani‘s home runs with a thumbs-down.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025
These sites cut against the stereotypical image of a critic as an expert dispensing a thumbs-up or thumbs-down like a Roman emperor.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
However, users can mark any ad with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to help manage their ads preferences.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbs-down
Noun
-
Be willing to listen to criticism.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Traders landing six-figure payouts associated with the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and the death of Iran's supreme leader drew criticism from lawmakers in Washington and critics of the apps.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On Friday, family members of 15-year-old Aundre Loyd came to Juvenile Court in Hennepin County to make their distaste heard.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
-
In the process, discussions of exactly what is objectionable about his industry tend to get lost in expressions of distaste for his type.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In some cases, people who take these risks experience potentially negative social consequences such as disapproval, ostracism and career setbacks.—
Catherine A. Sanderson,
The Conversation,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Overall, strong disapproval outweighed strong approval, 31% to 16%.—
Emily Guskin,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
International law experts say targeting civilians violates armed conflict regulations, drawing condemnation from the UN and human rights groups.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Sunni imams issued fatwas, legal condemnations by Islamic religious leaders, against us infidels.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Researchers say a growing number of young people are turning to AI to navigate social situations — drafting rejection texts, decoding mixed signals and scripting difficult conversations.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The rejection of the application, highly unusual for the FDA, prompted Moderna to go public with Prasad's decision and vow to formally challenge it.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Noem was the public face of that disapproval, strutting forward with arrogance in the face of public censure, a veritable clown show of ineptitude.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Days later, the House voted to reprimand Garcia after a fellow Democrat brought a censure resolution to the floor.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Muslim-majority countries outside the region, such as Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan, also signed on to the denunciation.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The report cards slammed several teams with anonymous comments that accused some teams of disrespecting players’ families, employing substandard training staffs and other denunciations.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thumbs-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbs-down. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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