as in criticism
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Recent Examples of thumbs-down
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
In 2017, the streamer scrapped its five-star ratings, replacing them with thumbs-up/thumbs-down buttons.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 22 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
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
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
In 2017, the streamer scrapped its five-star ratings, replacing them with thumbs-up/thumbs-down buttons.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 22 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbs-down
Noun
-
The Chinese retailer, known for its range of cheap ultra-fast-fashion clothing and criticisms of its labor and environmental practices, is nestled on the sixth floor of a more than century-old building in Paris, a city famous for high-end fashion and a recent green push.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Part of the reason why there are so few of these conversations about podcasting is a general lack of criticism for narrative audio.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
That distaste didn’t hurt Spanberger and her ticket, because 18% of those unhappy voters backed her anyway.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Elsewhere, Day-Lewis reiterated his distaste for the misrepresentation of method acting, having previously defended the approach last month and throughout recent press appearances.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The American Gaming Association, which is the gambling industry’s top trade group, has expressed disapproval of the federal government imposing restrictions on the business of betting.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Even his handling of deportations—another key part of his election platform—has a 52 percent disapproval rating, as Americans grapple with an ICE force that eschews state regulations, ignores due process rights and acts like the president’s personal army.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The arrest by federal agents of a day care teacher inside a child care center in northwest Chicago has drawn strong condemnation from local leaders.—
Whitney Wild,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The texts ignited a scandal that drew bipartisan condemnation.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
After numerous rejections, Guiteau's obsession with the president turned deadly.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Nov. 2025
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To many, the woman’s rejection symbolized deeper concerns around communication and respect in relationships.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The City Council also asked for more training and improved policy and procedures on handling similar situations and Councilmember Hon Lien walked back the censure process that began earlier this week.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
25 Oct. 2025
-
In doing so, the palace must weigh distancing itself from Andrew with ensuring the blowback from any further censure does not do even more damage to an institution that requires public buy-in.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Senator Ted Cruz on Thursday delivered a sharp denunciation of former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, condemning his recent interview with far-right commentator Nick Fuentes and warning that such rhetoric is fueling anti-Israel sentiment among young conservatives.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Far from being simply a denunciation of marginalization, the song becomes a sincere embrace of vulnerable childhoods, highlighting the pain of those who grow up in poverty, neglect, and, often, are forced into crime as a means of survival.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thumbs-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbs-down. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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