critical thinking
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of critical thinking
First recorded in 1810–15
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Accounting firms are working to change how traditional auditing work is done, with the aim of taking away younger professionals’ rote work and allowing them more critical thinking.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
But the user “isn’t stupid,” Adams explained — they know it’s a machine without “human needs and feelings” and can’t foster “the sense of human accountability” that is crucial to true critical thinking.
From Salon • Mar. 30, 2026
"Predictably, our children will develop deep critical thinking, and independent reasoning abilities."
From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026
You’re right that the critical thinking part of it is really important.
From Slate • Mar. 22, 2026
Here is what that means—ideologues are narrow-minded people, incapable of independent thought and critical thinking.
From "Towers Falling" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.