brickbat

[ brik-bat ]

noun

1. a piece of broken brick, especially one used as a missile.
2. any rocklike missile.
3. an unkind or unfavorable remark; caustic criticism:

   The critics greeted the play with brickbats.

brickbat

/ ˈbrɪkˌbæt /

noun

1. a piece of brick or similar material, esp one used as a weapon
2. blunt criticism

   the critic threw several brickbats at the singer

Word History and Origins

Origin of brickbat¹

First recorded in 1555–65; brick + bat ¹

Example Sentences

But functioning democracies require people willing to enter public life and take with it the brickbats that follow.

From BBC

Roos also expressed admiration: “Every day people around him were throwing brickbats at him, saying: “Why are you doing this?

From Los Angeles Times

We can become cynical or angry and just throw brickbats.

From Seattle Times

He drew brickbats from none other than George Bernard Shaw after trying to shut down a New York production of Shaw’s “Mrs. Warren’s Profession.”

From Los Angeles Times

As angry as the Boeing workers were to have their pensions frozen, were they supposed to use brickbats like the old Wobblies to storm the factory floors?

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• censure
• criticism
• denunciation
• discontent
• dislike
• displeasure
• dissatisfaction
• objection