as in criticism
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Recent Examples of thumbs-down
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
Google is also asking users to give feedback about personalization via the thumbs-down button.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
However, users can mark any ad with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to help manage their ads preferences.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
Drivers honked their horns in support, while supporters gave thumbs-down reactions to those frequenting the coffee chain.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 23 Nov. 2025
When asked who is the better cook, the pair hilariously reacted by both making faces and giving thumbs-down signs.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
The evening prior, a clip of Justin Bieber in full Jays gear went viral after the Swag singer was seen responding to one of Shohei Ohtani‘s home runs with a thumbs-down.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025
These sites cut against the stereotypical image of a critic as an expert dispensing a thumbs-up or thumbs-down like a Roman emperor.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
However, users can mark any ad with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to help manage their ads preferences.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Google is also asking users to give feedback about personalization via the thumbs-down button.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
However, users can mark any ad with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to help manage their ads preferences.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
Drivers honked their horns in support, while supporters gave thumbs-down reactions to those frequenting the coffee chain.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 23 Nov. 2025
When asked who is the better cook, the pair hilariously reacted by both making faces and giving thumbs-down signs.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
The evening prior, a clip of Justin Bieber in full Jays gear went viral after the Swag singer was seen responding to one of Shohei Ohtani‘s home runs with a thumbs-down.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025
These sites cut against the stereotypical image of a critic as an expert dispensing a thumbs-up or thumbs-down like a Roman emperor.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
However, users can mark any ad with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to help manage their ads preferences.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbs-down
Noun
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Howell also drew criticism for agreeing to a confidentiality agreement with the NFL to conceal the ruling of a collusion grievance the union had filed against the league.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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Some of the men laughed at the comment, which sparked criticism online, especially since many of them are close with players on the women's hockey team.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the process, discussions of exactly what is objectionable about his industry tend to get lost in expressions of distaste for his type.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2026
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Simply getting Zuckerberg on the stand Wednesday was a coup for the plaintiffs and a potential liability for his company’s platforms, which must now contend with profound public distaste for the Meta figurehead.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In some cases, people who take these risks experience potentially negative social consequences such as disapproval, ostracism and career setbacks.—
Catherine A. Sanderson,
The Conversation,
3 Mar. 2026
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Overall, strong disapproval outweighed strong approval, 31% to 16%.—
Emily Guskin,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Shane referenced last year’s Aspen Place condemnation housing disaster in Gardner that left nearly 700 people homeless within 48 hours.—
Lynne Hermansen,
Kansas City Star,
27 Feb. 2026
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The City Council voted Wednesday to pay the money to settle a 2025 condemnation lawsuit to acquire land near the old Dallas Morning News campus from a company owned by developer Ray Washburne.—
Everton Bailey Jr,
Dallas Morning News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The film examines the push-pull of attraction and rejection on a scope both intimate and global, finding the uneasy space where the two meet.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
28 Feb. 2026
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Phillips previously had a kidney transplant in 2017, but subsequent complications — including an infection called the BK virus — eventually resulted in both cellular and antibody rejection.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The censure resolution also stated her social media posts divulged and misrepresented confidential closed session information and disparaged the superintendent and board members.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
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In refusing to bow to an administration that has been intent on bullying private companies into submission, Amodei and his team are taking a bold stand on ethical grounds, and risking a censure that could erode Anthropic’s long-term viability.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Muslim-majority countries outside the region, such as Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan, also signed on to the denunciation.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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The report cards slammed several teams with anonymous comments that accused some teams of disrespecting players’ families, employing substandard training staffs and other denunciations.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thumbs-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbs-down. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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