criticize

[ krit-uh-sahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, crit·i·cized, crit·i·ciz·ing.

1. to censure or find fault with.

   Synonyms: blame, condemn

2. to judge or discuss the merits and faults of:

   to criticize three novels in one review.

   Synonyms: evaluate, appraise

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.

criticize

/ ˈkrɪtɪˌsaɪz /

verb

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

Derived Forms

• ˈcritiˌcizable, adjective
• ˈcritiˌcizer, noun
• ˈcritiˌcizingly, adverb

Other Words From

• 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 overcriticized overcriticizing
• pre·criti·cize verb (used with object) precriticized precriticizing
• re·criti·cize verb (used with object) recriticized recriticizing
• 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of criticize¹

First recorded in 1640–50; critic + -ize

Example Sentences

The committee criticized Boeing and the FAA for not mentioning the system’s name.

From Fortune

The president frequently claims he took bold action that was criticized.

From Washington Post

Additionally, a recent National Institutes of Health panel criticized the FDA for its EUA of convalescent plasma without having performed randomized tests.

From Fortune

Even his defense, which used to be criticized relentlessly, has improved considerably.

From FiveThirtyEight

A draft city report also criticizes the department’s data collection practices.

From Voice of San Diego

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

From The Daily Beast

Ever notice that "classy" adults never criticize teenagers for not being "classy"?

From The Daily Beast

Uber recently threatened to use the personal data of a tech journalist to destroy her because she dared criticize them.

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

They began to criticize all sorts of things which they had believed in and reverenced before.

From Project Gutenberg

"You've got no call to criticize," he went on, as Tony did not answer.

From Project Gutenberg

If she sees you want to learn and not to criticize she will become the most delighted, flattering teacher you ever dreamed of.

From Project Gutenberg

Their attitude toward the Public was one which you did not criticize, for it seemed to you to be reasonable.

From Project Gutenberg

The burgess's daughter was refining to an appreciation of the exquisite so rapidly that she could criticize patricians.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blame
• blast
• castigate
• censure
• chastise
• chide
• condemn
• denounce
• excoriate
• reprimand