critique

1 of 2

noun

cri·​tique krə-ˈtēk 

kri-

: an act of criticizing

especially : a critical (see critical sense 1c) estimate or discussion

a critique of the poet's work

an honest critique of her art

critique

2 of 2

verb

critiqued; critiquing

transitive verb

: to examine critically : review

critique the plan

Did you know?

What’s the difference between criticism and critique? There’s some overlap in meaning, but they’re not the same in every situation. Criticism is most often used broadly to refer to the act of negatively criticizing someone or something (“I’m more interested in encouragement right now than criticism”) or a remark or comment that expresses disapproval (“She shared a minor criticism about the design”), while critique is a more formal word for a carefully expressed judgment, opinion, or evaluation of both the good and bad qualities of something—for example, books or movies. Thus, a critic can write a critique that may be full of criticism.

Synonyms

Noun

• criticism
• examen
• notice
• review

Examples of critique in a Sentence

Noun

She wrote a radical critique of the philosopher's early essays.

They gave a fair and honest critique of her art.

Verb

The class convened to critique the student's latest painting.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Return of the Global South Realism, not moralism, drives a new critique of western power. —Kal Raustiala, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024

The former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director issued a withering critique of Democrats opposed to Trump's flagship mass deportation policy on Fox News's Sunday Morning Futures. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

Verb

Police have been looking into whether those words, which match the title of a 2010 book critiquing the insurance industry, may point to a motive in the killing. —Karina Tsui, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024

The scene in question saw Pitt's character experience a dramatic crash, causing some to critique the stunt for its realism, or lack thereof, until additional context is provided. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French, borrowed from Latin critica "evaluation of literary works," borrowed from Greek kritikḗ noun derivative from feminine of kritikós "discerning, capable of judging" — more at critic entry 1

Verb

derivative of critique entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1679, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1752, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing critique

• self-critique

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Kids Definition

critique

1 of 2 noun

cri·​tique

krə-ˈtēk

: an act or instance of criticizing

especially : a critical estimate or discussion

critique

2 of 2 verb

critiqued; critiquing

: to examine critically : review

critiqued the plan