criticize

[ krit-uh-sahyz ]
See synonyms for: criticizecriticizedcriticizingcriticizable on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),crit·i·cized, crit·i·ciz·ing.
  1. to censure or find fault with.

  2. to judge or discuss the merits and faults of: to criticize three novels in one review.

verb (used without object),crit·i·cized, crit·i·ciz·ing.
  1. to find fault; judge unfavorably or harshly.

  2. to make judgments as to merits and faults.

Origin of criticize

1
First recorded in 1640–50; critic + -ize
  • Also especially British, crit·i·cise .

Other words for criticize

Other words from criticize

  • crit·i·ciz·a·ble, adjective
  • crit·i·ciz·er, noun
  • crit·i·ciz·ing·ly, adverb
  • non·crit·i·ciz·ing, adjective, noun
  • o·ver·crit·i·cize, verb, o·ver·crit·i·cized, o·ver·crit·i·ciz·ing.
  • pre·crit·i·cize, verb (used with object), pre·crit·i·cized, pre·crit·i·ciz·ing.
  • re·crit·i·cize, verb (used with object), re·crit·i·cized, re·crit·i·ciz·ing.
  • un·crit·i·ciz·a·ble, adjective
  • un·crit·i·ciz·a·bly, adverb
  • un·crit·i·cized, adjective
  • un·crit·i·ciz·ing, adjective
  • un·crit·i·ciz·ing·ly, adverb
  • well-crit·i·cized, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use criticize in a sentence

  • Never criticise a companion's dress, or indeed make any remark whatever upon it.

  • It is long, indeed, before education brings men to the point where they can criticise their first explanations of Nature.

    Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
  • Though when they look at my pictures they are always kind and sympathetic and never criticise.

    My Wonderful Visit | Charlie Chaplin
  • When he had set down the empty pitcher and drawn his breath, he began to criticise the liquor which it had lately contained.

    The Fortunes of Nigel | Sir Walter Scott
  • Las Cases, however, was always ready to criticise Miss Betsy, whose hoydenish ways he could never understand.

    Napoleon's Young Neighbor | Helen Leah Reed

British Dictionary definitions for criticize

criticize

criticise

/ (ˈkrɪtɪˌsaɪz) /


verb
  1. to judge (something) with disapproval; censure

  2. to evaluate or analyse (something)

Derived forms of criticize

  • criticizable or criticisable, adjective
  • criticizer or criticiser, noun
  • criticizingly or criticisingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012