criticize

[krit-uh-sahyz]

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.

Also especially British, crit·i·cise.

Origin of criticize

First recorded in 1640–50; critic + -ize

Related formscrit·i·ciz·a·ble, adjectivecrit·i·ciz·er, nouncrit·i·ciz·ing·ly, adverbnon·crit·i·ciz·ing, adjective, nouno·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

Synonyms for criticize

1. condemn, blame. 2. appraise, evaluate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for criticising

Contemporary Examples of criticising

In the old days, criticising the Queen's glossy locks would have been a head-removing offense.
Kate's Hair Is 'Overdone' Says Former Royal Hairdresser
Tom Sykes
February 19, 2014
He felt “doubly guilty for criticising the book” when she generously inscribed his copy.
Jane Goodall’s Troubling, Error-Filled New Book, ‘Seeds of Hope’
Michael Moynihan
March 26, 2013

Historical Examples of criticising

Instead of criticising he has in most cases merely described.
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 6, 1921
Various
What right has she, I want to know, to be criticising Sidney Baumann's people?
From Place to Place
Irvin S. Cobb
They naturally fell to discussing the men, and to criticising their dancing.
Novel Notes
Jerome K. Jerome
The just ground for criticising him is, not that he attempted to do this, but that he faltered by the way.
The Story of the Mormons
William Alexander Linn
On the whole, they refrained from criticising modern times or from exulting their own.
Virgin Soil
Ivan S. Turgenev

British Dictionary definitions for criticising

criticize

criticise

verb

to judge (something) with disapproval; censure
to evaluate or analyse (something)

Derived Formscriticizable 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

Word Origin and History for criticising

criticize

1640s, "to pass judgment on something" (usually unfavorable), from critic + -ize. Meaning "to discuss critically" is from 1660s; that of "to censure" is from 1704. Related: Criticized; criticizing.