hypercriticism

[ hahy-per-krit-uh-siz-uhm ]

noun

1. criticism that is carping or unduly harsh.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypercriticism¹

First recorded in 1670–80; hyper- + criticism

Example Sentences

This involves a concept known as hypercriticism, or the idea confirmed by researchers at Harvard University and Carnegie Mellon University that people instinctively believe negative statements are more intelligent than positive ones.

From Salon

Brown said it seems like offenders in Chicago are acting with "impunity" because of a lack of respect for law enforcement, "and yet with hypercriticism, officers continue to run toward danger," he added, noting the officer killed in Boulder's mass shooting on Monday.

From Fox News

Or do their parents make them so, through abuse, neglect, hypercriticism or overinvolvement?

From New York Times

“We discussed his wife’s recent visit to Tent City, his votes on gun legislation, border issues, and why he’s optimistic about his chances in Arizona,” the station said in a write-up of the truncated four-minute interview, glossing over the inherent bias in its reporter’s hypercriticism of Sanders’s congressional voting record.

From Salon

In the current issue of Wired, staff writer Clive Thompson calls this “hypercriticism,” and cites two academic studies in which respondents found more value in negative than positive criticism.

From Forbes