hypercritic

[ hahy-per-krit-ik ]

noun

1. a person who is excessively or captiously critical.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypercritic¹

From the New Latin word hypercriticus, dating back to 1625–35. See hyper-, critic

Example Sentences

Hypercritic, hī-per-krit′ik, n. one who is over-critical.—adjs.

From Project Gutenberg

It may be easy to dismiss them with indifference, to underrate them with hypercritic sneer, and assuredly those who take pleasure in the strained archaic obscurities of much modern verse will find no more charm in them than the languid �sthete, musing over the pages of Verlaine and Mallarme, would find in a sea-wet breeze blowing across a hayfield at early morning.

From Project Gutenberg

In externals she was a large well-built woman of middle age, handsome after a coarse, rubicund fashion, though a purplish hue which had succeeded in her cheeks the roseate flush of youth, would almost excuse the severe verdict of that hypercritic who should define her charms as somewhat “blowsy.”

From Project Gutenberg

The objections I ventured to make during the time of instruction were all so easily refuted--with the theological self-sufficiency and supreme wisdom against which there can be no debate, since it refers every spiritual doubt to the poor hypercritic's conscience, and instead of any real arguments has only the inscrutable retort: 'we must pray to God for faith, and he will bestow it.'

From Project Gutenberg

The critic, the hypercritic, is everywhere.

From Project Gutenberg