THUMBS-DOWN Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

thumbs-down

noun

Definition of thumbs-down

as in criticism

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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 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 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 justice ministry rejected the criticism, saying the proceedings complied with Syrian law and included the participation of victims and their representatives.

— Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
The documentary spotlighted some harsh criticisms of the show and of Banks.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticism

Noun

For most of those who spoke with ABC News, joining the military is a series of career decisions rather than approval or disapproval about the administration in power.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
But this, Nidhi conceded, was perhaps the result of a need to concentrate, since any oversight in her work earned Jaya Aunty’s prompt disapproval.

— Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of disapproval

Noun

Whether Tlaib is motivated by animus toward Moskowitz and Wasserman Schultz for their censure votes and condemnations of her rhetoric, or by support for their progressive opponents Larkin and Manley — or a combination — is unknown.

— Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Missing from the 62-page report — at least in the view of some longtime department observers — was any reflection about officers’ use of less-lethal weapons that left hundreds of people injured and drew strong condemnations from human rights groups.

— Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of condemnation

Noun

Social media’s instant rejection of Netflix’s Qwikster spinoff, for instance, forced the company to scuttle that bad idea almost immediately after it was introduced in 2011.

— Josef Adalian, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026
After all, the billionaire founder lived a whirlwind of a career, turning down lucrative job offers and weathering professional rejection before ultimately launching one of the world’s biggest biotech companies.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of rejection

Noun

While that censure failed, the recall effort is still pending.

— Olivia Young, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Whether Tlaib is motivated by animus toward Moskowitz and Wasserman Schultz for their censure votes and condemnations of her rhetoric, or by support for their progressive opponents Larkin and Manley — or a combination — is unknown.

— Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of censure

Noun

Iran launched a drone attack against Azerbaijan early in the war, triggering harsh denunciations and speculation that Azerbaijan could enter the war.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2026
The truth is that, despite the 2019 Business Roundtable denunciation of MSV, the pendulum never fully swung away from MSV.

— Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of denunciation

Browse Nearby Words

thumbs

thumbs-down

thumbs-downs

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

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Synonyms of thumbs-down

noun

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