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 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 The Department of Justice and the Treasury subjected the question of whether the change could be made without congressional action to their gimlet-eyed scrutiny, and turned thumbs-down. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 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

Yet Valdés Ugalde points out that the US shows no signs of caring about Mexican criticisms of its immigration policy.

— Mauricio Torres, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
The veteran official has spent 2026 fielding criticism, and his last month has been rough.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026

Definition of criticism

Noun

For three films, Simmons’ Jameson expressed his distaste for Spider-Man (Maguire), running a smear campaign in the Daily Bugle, unaware that his employee, Peter Parker, is the superhero.

— Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 10 July 2026
There is no national mood, just a mélange of anomie, distaste, and derangement.

— Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 5 July 2026

Definition of distaste

Noun

Over the last few months, residents have expressed their disapproval of the Flock cameras, prompting the City Council to hold a meeting to decide the future of its contract with the security company.

— Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Following the announcement, area residents and Morrison YMCA members quickly turned to social media to voice their disapproval.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026

Definition of disapproval

Noun

The government’s unprecedented move this week sparked condemnations across the political and legal spectrum, sounding the alarm that Israel was becoming a country whose executive no longer felt bound by the rule of law.

— Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 10 July 2026
With no end in sight to the fighting after one year of bloodshed, the IOC reiterates its condemnation of the war in Ukraine, which is a blatant violation of the Olympic Truce that was in effect at the time, and the Olympic Charter.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026

Definition of condemnation

Noun

Trump’s rejection of the bipartisan housing legislation exacerbates tensions with his own party in a midterm election year and cuts short their efforts to address a key voter concern about rising costs.

— Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
And from faculty lounges today comes a gigantic rejection of the Humphrey-to-Obama synthesis.

— David Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

Definition of rejection

Noun

After the censure on Monday, Hulsey again tried to exclude the city administrator from council business when the governing body went into executive session.

— Rachel Royster July 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026
The escalation should start with a warning from the chair, followed by a motion of the board of censure (asking the owner to quiet down), followed by a motion to eject the offending owner from the meeting.

— Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026

Definition of censure

Noun

His denunciation so incensed far-right Israelis that a number of activists were detained while protesting his son’s bar mitzvah in Jerusalem the next year, Emanuel recalled.

— Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Three words The lengthiest denunciation of Tyndale’s translation came from More, the English humanist who was King Henry VIII’s leading political official.

— Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 30 June 2026

Definition of denunciation

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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 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of thumbs-down

noun

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