as in criticism
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Recent Examples of thumbs-down
The essence of the review is evaluation, which of course doesn’t imply the crude simplicity of a thumbs-up or thumbs-down.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 24 July 2025
That legislation collapsed when then-Sen. John McCain famously cast a thumbs-down vote.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is determined to avoid that outcome, sticking to the schedule and pressing ahead with voting expected by the end of the week.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 26 June 2025
After some thumbs-up, thumbs-down tweaks, the images were surprisingly spot-on.
—Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 14 June 2025
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
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 24 July 2025
That legislation collapsed when then-Sen. John McCain famously cast a thumbs-down vote.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is determined to avoid that outcome, sticking to the schedule and pressing ahead with voting expected by the end of the week.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 26 June 2025
After some thumbs-up, thumbs-down tweaks, the images were surprisingly spot-on.
—Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 14 June 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbs-down
Noun
-
Mourinho’s arrival at United was a response to some of the criticisms directed at his predecessor, Louis van Gaal.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Much of his criticism originates to when Elon Musk, a South African native, was a member of his administration.—
Emily Goodin,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The respected journo most recently discussed his distaste for Drake and Althoff’s first interview after watching a preview for their latest chat on The Bigger Picture.—
Jessica Bennett,
VIBE.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Iran’s leaders still had their old distaste for direct confrontation.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The attack prompted international condemnation, and was even met with disapproval from the United States, an ally of both Israel and Qatar.—
Daniel Estrin,
NPR,
9 Sep. 2025
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More broadly, last month, a Quinnipiac poll revealed that the president has a 37 percent approval rating versus a 55 percent disapproval rating, a new low for his second term from that pollster.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Kremlin propagandists have disparaged NATO members' reaction to Europe's condemnation of Moscow after Russian drones breached the territory of Poland.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
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His death has drawn condolences — and condemnation of political violence — from both sides of the aisle.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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And then, 11 days later, the movie will appear in theaters nationwide, something that seemed implausible over the years as the rejections kept piling up.—
Tim Casey,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Then an Alabama woman whose pig kidney lasted 130 days before rejection prompted its removal, sending her back to dialysis, helped researchers shift to not-as-sick patients.—
Lauran Neergaard,
Fortune,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The censure resolution stated that McIver is alleged to have slammed her forearm into the body of an HSI officer, in addition to forcibly grabbing the officer.—
Jenna Sundel
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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Democratic leaders had planned to introduce the censure resolution Thursday afternoon and consider it Friday.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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His denunciation did little to change their policy.—
Rosalyn R. LaPier,
The Conversation,
12 Aug. 2025
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Analysts argued the deal would be a nonstarter even before Zelensky’s public denunciation of any territorial concessions.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thumbs-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbs-down. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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