criticize

[ krit-uh-sahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, crit·i·cized, crit·i·ciz·ing.

1. to censure or find fault with.

   Synonyms: blame, condemn

2. to judge or discuss the merits and faults of:

   to criticize three novels in one review.

   Synonyms: evaluate, appraise

verb (used without object)

, crit·i·cized, crit·i·ciz·ing.

1. to find fault; judge unfavorably or harshly.
2. to make judgments as to merits and faults.

criticize

/ ˈkrɪtɪˌsaɪz /

verb

1. to judge (something) with disapproval; censure
2. to evaluate or analyse (something)

Derived Forms

• ˈcritiˌcizer, noun
• ˈcritiˌcizable, adjective
• ˈcritiˌcizingly, adverb

Other Words From

• criti·ciza·ble adjective
• criti·cizer noun
• criti·cizing·ly adverb
• non·criti·cizing adjective noun
• over·criti·cize verb overcriticized overcriticizing
• pre·criti·cize verb (used with object) precriticized precriticizing
• re·criti·cize verb (used with object) recriticized recriticizing
• un·criti·ciza·ble adjective
• un·criti·ciza·bly adverb
• un·criti·cized adjective
• un·criti·cizing adjective
• un·criti·cizing·ly adverb
• well-criti·cized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of criticize¹

First recorded in 1640–50; critic + -ize

Example Sentences

The trepidation comes from Carr’s open criticism of broadcasters and tech firms on behalf of Trump, who is famously hostile to journalists and outlets that criticize him.

From Los Angeles Times

These so-called moderates might say nasty stuff about Gaetz off the record, or criticize his character, but how many of them are actually saying: “Donald Trump doesn’t get a blank check in the Senate, and we will exercise our duty to say no when we need to”? None of them have come out and declared: “We will say no.”

From Slate

At least two of those relationships with civilian Pentagon chiefs — retired Marine Gen. James N. Mattis and Army combat veteran Mark Esper — resulted in open acrimony, despite a long-standing reluctance on the part of current and retired military officers to publicly criticize the commander in chief.

From Los Angeles Times

“This bill dangerously weaponizes the Treasury against nonprofit organizations and houses of worship — Christian, Jewish, or Muslim — that dare to support Palestinian and Lebanese human rights or criticize Israel’s genocidal actions,” the Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a statement.

From Salon

"Medical professionals are allowed to criticize wars, anywhere else in the world."

From Salon

Related Words

• blame
• blast
• castigate
• censure
• chastise
• chide
• condemn
• denounce
• excoriate
• reprimand