thumbs-down

noun

Definition of thumbs-downnext
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 Greg’s smile, contrasted with the frowns and thumbs-down from the rest of the crew, makes for an entertaining visual. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026 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 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 decision has also drawn criticism from Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The conclusions are non-binding and face criticism, and the ultimate approval is up to the judge.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of criticism
Noun
  • At first the owner stared at him blankly, then flashed a look of distaste, as if a dirty rodent had brushed his foot.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Some have also shared with me a profound distaste for how their friends and family are using AI for therapy and companionship, and a deep concern for their future employment prospects.
    — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of distaste
Noun
  • Johnson does good work committing to the bit here, too, barreling forward despite her friends’ alarm and disapproval.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2026
  • In Argentina, despite a burgeoning hydrocarbon sector, higher energy costs have renewed inflation concerns and created a headache for Milei, whose disapproval rating spiked to 63 percent in late April, up from 49 percent at the start of the year.
    — DAN RESTREPO, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of disapproval
Noun
  • The film is admirably committed to documenting this lifestyle without much idealization or condemnation.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The comments drew swift condemnation from California leaders, even as the White House communications director, Steven Cheung, insisted the president’s remarks had been taken out of context.
    — Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of condemnation
Noun
  • In her rejection of stereotypically female fashion and her flair for the dramatic, Sanjak definitely would have fit in at Le Monocle.
    — Gaby Iori October 7, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
  • In April, Americans for Financial Reform’s Education Fund released a study stating that the bank’s mortgage rejection rates for minorities in Charlotte and North Carolina far outpaced those of white applicants.
    — Chase Jordan October 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of rejection
Noun
  • The board is also expected to consider whether to launch an investigation into the allegations and consider a censure vote.
    — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Once rare, censures and expulsions have become more common, particularly in the House.
    — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of censure
Noun
  • Each nutty denunciation of his imaginary tormentors includes a plea for a presidential pardon.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The initiative comes amid criticism of Mamdani’s denunciations of Israel.
    — Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of denunciation

Browse Nearby Words

thumbs
thumbs-down
thumbs-downs
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of galore

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All