criticize

[krit-uh-sahyz]

See more synonyms for criticize on Thesaurus.com

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

See more synonyms for criticize on Thesaurus.com

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 criticize

Contemporary Examples

Better, she says, to use local Muslim leaders and others in civil society to criticize militant arguments.
ISIS Has a Message. Do We?
Jamie Dettmer
December 8, 2014
She refused to criticize the group by name or clarify whether she believed that ethnic Koreans had special privileges.
For Top Pols In Japan Crime Doesn’t Pay, But Hate Crime Does
Jake Adelstein, Angela Erika Kubo
September 26, 2014
It increases the number of people who think, criticize, discuss.
Mexico City: Francisco Goldman’s Other Lost Love
Jason Berry
September 25, 2014
By demonstrating a willingness to criticize President Obama, often rebuking him for his cozy relationship with Wall Street.
The Unsung Heroism of Jesse Jackson
David Masciotra
September 7, 2014
Then Stewart turned to criticize Palestinian militants, causing the correspondents to return and yell pro-Palestinian slogans.
How Jon Stewart Made It Okay to Care About Palestinian Suffering
Dean Obeidallah
July 21, 2014

Historical Examples

She was not in any condition to criticize the appearance of another woman.
Her Father's Daughter
Gene Stratton-Porter
When they criticize I am annoyed and when they praise I am uneasy.
The Harbor
Ernest Poole
Grammarians may criticize the syntax of the President's message, and the style.
Diary from November 12, 1862, to October 18, 1863
Adam Gurowski
But it was not Calhoun's function to criticize when it could be avoided.
Pariah Planet
Murray Leinster
Yes, is the reply, and I will criticize you and myself, as well as him.
Laws
Plato

British Dictionary definitions for criticize

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 criticize

v.

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.

criticize

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Synonyms

Examples from the Web for criticize

Contemporary Examples

Better, she says, to use local Muslim leaders and others in civil society to criticize militant arguments.

She refused to criticize the group by name or clarify whether she believed that ethnic Koreans had special privileges.

It increases the number of people who think, criticize, discuss.

By demonstrating a willingness to criticize President Obama, often rebuking him for his cozy relationship with Wall Street.

Then Stewart turned to criticize Palestinian militants, causing the correspondents to return and yell pro-Palestinian slogans.

Historical Examples

She was not in any condition to criticize the appearance of another woman.

When they criticize I am annoyed and when they praise I am uneasy.

Grammarians may criticize the syntax of the President's message, and the style.

But it was not Calhoun's function to criticize when it could be avoided.

Yes, is the reply, and I will criticize you and myself, as well as him.

criticize

criticise

Word Origin and History for criticize

v.

Origin of criticize