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

If the institution of monarchy was merely feigning complete indifference to the now all-too familiar prospect of yet another brickbat being lobbed at it courtesy of Oprah and the Sussexes, it was certainly doing a very convincing job.

From The Daily Beast

That earned brickbats from former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein, who said in interviews with various media outlets this week that Wall Street has too often tried to have it both ways.

From Fortune

A feeling of sadness and longingThat is not like being sick, And resembles sorrow onlyAs a brickbat resembles a brick.

From Project Gutenberg

It set Tom to thinking; he said afterwards the spectacle was enough to make a brickbat wake up and think.

From Project Gutenberg

Some of our readers may think that this was a fit punishment for having “pashed” the toad to “death with a brickbat.”

From Project Gutenberg

There isn't a mineral in Louisiana, unless it is a brickbat.

From Project Gutenberg

I was there myself, and did what I could to quiet the tumult, receiving more than one brickbat for my interference.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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