CRITICAL Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'critical' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of critical are captious , carping , censorious , faultfinding , and hypercritical . While all these words mean "inclined to look for and point out faults and defects," critical may also imply an effort to see a thing clearly and truly in order to judge it fairly. // a critical essay

Q: When might 'captious' be a better fit than 'critical'?

While the synonyms captious and critical are close in meaning, captious suggests a readiness to detect trivial faults or raise objections on trivial grounds. // a captious critic

Q: Where would 'carping' be a reasonable alternative to 'critical'?

The synonyms carping and critical are sometimes interchangeable, but carping implies an ill-natured or perverse picking of flaws. // a carping editorial

Q: When could 'censorious' be used to replace 'critical'?

The words censorious and critical can be used in similar contexts, but censorious implies a disposition to be severely critical and condemnatory. // the censorious tone of the review

Q: When can 'faultfinding' be used instead of 'critical'?

Although the words faultfinding and critical have much in common, faultfinding implies a querulous or exacting temperament. // a faultfinding reviewer

Q: When is it sensible to use 'hypercritical' instead of 'critical'?

The words hypercritical and critical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hypercritical suggests a tendency to judge by unreasonably strict standards. // hypercritical disparagement of other people's work

critical

adjective

ˈkri-ti-kəl

Definition of critical next

as in particular

given to making or expressing unfavorable judgments about things adults tend to be critical of teenagers' taste in music and movies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in urgent

needing immediate attention this problem isn't critical, so we can go home now and tend to it in the morning

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in crucial

of the greatest possible importance this is the critical exam that will largely determine your college career

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in essential

impossible to do without critical information for an informed medical diagnosis

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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For

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critical thinking

logical thinking

strategic thinking

crucial thinking

rational thinking

analytical thinking

a critical point

a crucial point

a vital point

a climactic point

an analytical point

a climatic point

critical importance

crucial importance

major importance

significant importance

essential importance

extreme importance

a critical review

a skeptical review

a careful review

a cynical review

a negative review

an analytical review

a critical period

an important period

a significant period

a definitive period

an essential period

a pivotal period

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective critical contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of critical are captious, carping, censorious, faultfinding, and hypercritical. While all these words mean "inclined to look for and point out faults and defects," critical may also imply an effort to see a thing clearly and truly in order to judge it fairly.

a critical essay

When might captious be a better fit than critical?

While the synonyms captious and critical are close in meaning, captious suggests a readiness to detect trivial faults or raise objections on trivial grounds.

a captious critic

Where would carping be a reasonable alternative to critical?

The synonyms carping and critical are sometimes interchangeable, but carping implies an ill-natured or perverse picking of flaws.

a carping editorial

When could censorious be used to replace critical?

The words censorious and critical can be used in similar contexts, but censorious implies a disposition to be severely critical and condemnatory.

the censorious tone of the review

When can faultfinding be used instead of critical?

Although the words faultfinding and critical have much in common, faultfinding implies a querulous or exacting temperament.

a faultfinding reviewer

When is it sensible to use hypercritical instead of critical?

The words hypercritical and critical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hypercritical suggests a tendency to judge by unreasonably strict standards.

hypercritical disparagement of other people's work

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of critical In an industry where communication is critical, Lake Forest’s Toby Wong has made an impact. —

Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025 All three hormones are critical to our well-being—and all three diminish in menopause. —

Jolene Edgar, Allure, 11 Feb. 2025 Ratner makes the case that public policy is critical to public health. —

Maria Godoy, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025 This is increasing sea levels around the world and making critical resources like rare earths and uranium on Greenland more accessible to exploitation. —

Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 10 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for critical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for critical

Adjective

The tubes are not much longer than an individual cell, and Prochlorococcus, in particular, is thought to spread out in the water column.

— Veronique Greenwood, WIRED, 9 Feb. 2025
With nearly 800 five-star ratings, this particular Lululemon vest is clearly a beloved investment piece.

— Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2025