criticize
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
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to find fault; judge unfavorably or harshly.
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to make judgments as to merits and faults.
verb
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to judge (something) with disapproval; censure
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to evaluate or analyse (something)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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uncriticizingadjective
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criticizinglyadverb
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overcriticizeverb
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criticizableadjective
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uncriticizableadjective
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precriticizeverb (used with object)
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noncriticizingadjective
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uncriticizedadjective
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well-criticizedadjective
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criticizernoun
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uncriticizinglyadverb
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recriticizeverb (used with object)
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uncriticizablyadverb
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has criticizedperfect 3rd person singular
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have criticizedperfect
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are criticizingprogressive
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is criticizingprogressive 3rd person singular
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am criticizingprogressive 1st person singular
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has been criticizingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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criticizessingular 3rd person
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have been criticizingperfect progressive
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criticizingparticiple
Past
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had criticizedperfect
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was criticizingprogressive singular
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were criticizingprogressive plural
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had been criticizingperfect progressive
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criticizedsimple
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criticizedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of criticize
Explanation
To criticize is to find what's wrong with something, like the improbabilities in a movie's plot line, or double standards in your father's rules. The verb criticize comes from the noun, critic, and means "to act like a critic." A critic is someone who judges, and that doesn't have to mean negative judgment (think of a glowing movie review from a movie critic), but when we use criticize we always mean finding what's wrong, instead of what's good, with something. If your friend is just learning to bake, don't criticize his first batch of burned cookies too harshly; he'll just give up.
Vocabulary lists containing criticize
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 3
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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 2
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The New SAT: The Language of the Test
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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.
Though he mainly went after Becerra, Steyer also made sure to criticize Hilton.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026
Beijing generally sees the dialogue as a Western-dominated forum where participants often criticize China.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026
That’s part of why some startups criticize SPVs.
From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026
Because if it just means we don’t criticize judges, I think we’ve run out of road on that conversation.
From Slate • May 12, 2026
He wanted to help Reyna, but since his own strategy was to deal with his problems alone, spurning anyone who tried to get close, he couldn’t exactly criticize Reyna for doing the same thing.
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
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.
