THUMBS-DOWN Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

thumbs-down

noun

Definition of thumbs-down

as in criticism

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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 McCain famously defied his political party in a thumbs-down vote against repealing President Barack Obama's signature Affordable Care Act. — Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 30 Apr. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for thumbs-down

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbs-down

Noun

Trump's continuing criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and praise of Putin only give Putin further confidence the United States is not serious about imposing more severe sanctions.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
His government, the most nationalist and far-right in Israel’s history, faces domestic criticism over security failures and international criticism over the treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticism

Noun

But Republicans privately worry that growing disapproval of his administration is a liability.

— Michelle S. Price, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
The latest Fox News survey released Wednesday showed disapproval of the job Trump is doing has reached 77% on inflation, 70% on the economy, 69% on tariffs and 64% on foreign policy.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of disapproval

Noun

Trump’s move drew bipartisan condemnation from lawmakers who backed the measure overwhelmingly.

— Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Netanyahu has criticized the violence but has taken few steps to crack down on incidents that have drawn international condemnation and sanction plans by longtime Israeli allies, including Britain.

— Reuters, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of condemnation

Noun

The shouts of rejection came in part because there was a plausible scenario under which James would have opened the season at Madison Square Garden in a Knicks uniform.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Long before launch, the team faced obstacles that nearly thwarted the endeavor — chiefly, two rejections from NASA — before finally securing the green light for the $1 billion project under the New Frontiers Program in 2011.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of rejection

Noun

Football—besides being one of our more ubiquitous and unrestrained national entertainments—has also become one of the rare arenas in American life where highly specialized language can flourish without censure.

— Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of censure

Noun

The frontrunner is Marine Le Pen, who has worked for years to make her far-right party, the National Rally, more electable while campaigning on immigration, crime, and denunciation of an out-of-touch political class.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Each nutty denunciation of his imaginary tormentors includes a plea for a presidential pardon.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of denunciation

Browse Nearby Words

thumbs

thumbs-down

thumbs-downs

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Style

“Thumbs-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbs-down. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of thumbs-down

noun

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