criticize

[ krit-uh-sahyz ]

/ ˈkrɪt əˌsaɪz /

verb (used with object), crit·i·cized, crit·i·ciz·ing.

to censure or find fault with.

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.

to find fault; judge unfavorably or harshly.

to make judgments as to merits and faults.

Nearby words

criticality, critically, criticaster, criticise, criticism, criticize, critique, critique of pure reason, crittenden compromise, critter, crius

Also especially British, crit·i·cise.

Origin of criticize

First recorded in 1640–50; critic + -ize

SYNONYMS FOR criticize

1 condemn, blame.

2 appraise, evaluate.

Related forms

crit·i·ciz·a·ble, adjectivecrit·i·ciz·er, nouncrit·i·ciz·ing·ly, adverbnon·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, adjectiveun·crit·i·ciz·a·bly, adverbun·crit·i·cized, adjectiveun·crit·i·ciz·ing, adjectiveun·crit·i·ciz·ing·ly, adverbwell-crit·i·cized, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for criticise

The riding-breeches, top-boots, and spurs were such that even Waring could not criticise.
Waring's Peril|Charles King
“We are allowed to criticise, I believe,” remarked the Comte de C. after a pause which followed these remarks.
Secrets of the Sword|Csar Lecat de Bazancourt
They discuss and criticise freely all the careers which are open to youthful ambition.
Other People's Money|Emile Gaboriau
Here both he and the midshipman were well qualified to criticise.
True Blue|W.H.G. Kingston

We now criticise the modern criticisms of Homeric pictures of battles.
The World of Homer|Andrew Lang

British Dictionary definitions for criticise

criticize

criticise

/ (ˈkrɪtɪˌsaɪz) /

verb

to judge (something) with disapproval; censure

to evaluate or analyse (something)

Derived Forms

criticizable or criticisable, adjectivecriticizer or criticiser, nouncriticizingly 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