criticize

verb

crit·​i·​cize ˈkri-tə-ˌsīz 

criticized; criticizing

intransitive verb

: to act as a critic

transitive verb

1

: to consider the merits and demerits of and judge accordingly : evaluate

He asked me to criticize his drawings.

2

: to find fault with : point out the faults of

His boss criticized him for his sloppy work.

criticizable

ˈkri-tə-ˌsī-zə-bəl 

adjective

criticizer noun

Synonyms

• blame
• censure
• condemn
• denounce
• dis [slang]
• diss
• dispraise
• fault
• knock
• pan
• reprehend
• slag [chiefly British]

Choose the Right Synonym for criticize

criticize, reprehend, censure, reprobate, condemn, denounce mean to find fault with openly.

criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions.

criticized the police for using violence

reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.

reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

Examples of criticize in a Sentence

His boss criticized him for his sloppy work habits.

The judge was widely criticized for his verdict.

The editor criticized the author's work as trite.

It seems as though all he ever does is criticize.

Recent Examples on the Web

Later that year, he was blamed — and later sued — for the cancellation of a music festival in Malaysia after criticizing the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws before kissing bassist Ross MacDonald. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2024

The Los Angeles Police Protective League, which endorsed De León and represents about 8,800 officers, is now airing 30-second attack ads criticizing Jurado. —David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024

What’s emerged on campuses in the last year is not a bunch of students criticizing Israel harshly. —Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024

Meanwhile, while Cuban is very vocal in his politics and criticizing Donald Trump, John prefers to stay clear of that conversation. —Andrés Buenahora, Variety, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

critic entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

criticize

verb

crit·​i·​cize ˈkrit-ə-ˌsīz 

criticized; criticizing

1

: to examine and judge as a critic

2

: to find fault with