criticize
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crit·i·cize
(krĭt′ĭ-sīz′)v. crit·i·cized, crit·i·ciz·ing, crit·i·ciz·es
v.tr.
1. To find fault with: criticized the decision as unrealistic. See Usage Note at critique.
2. To judge the merits and faults of; analyze and evaluate: criticizes art for a living.
v.intr.
To act as a critic.
crit′i·ciz′a·ble adj.
crit′i·ciz′er n.
Synonyms: criticize, censure, condemn, denounce, decry
These verbs mean to express an unfavorable judgment. Criticize can mean merely to evaluate without necessarily finding fault; however, usually the word implies the expression of disapproval: formed a panel to criticize the students' works; was angry when his parents criticized the way he dressed.
Censure refers to the often formal pronouncement of strong criticism: "[He] censured from the pulpit what many others have welcomed as a much-needed religious awakening" (John Edgar Wideman).
Condemn usually applies to harsh moral judgment: "The wrongs which we seek to condemn and punish have been so calculated, so malignant and so devastating that civilization cannot tolerate their being ignored because it cannot survive their being repeated" (Robert H. Jackson).
Denounce and decry imply public proclamation of condemnation or repudiation: "Fictionalizing in the writing of biography ... has been largely denounced by critics ... and teachers" (Margaret Bush)."The worship of the senses has often, and with much justice, been decried" (Oscar Wilde).
These verbs mean to express an unfavorable judgment. Criticize can mean merely to evaluate without necessarily finding fault; however, usually the word implies the expression of disapproval: formed a panel to criticize the students' works; was angry when his parents criticized the way he dressed.
Censure refers to the often formal pronouncement of strong criticism: "[He] censured from the pulpit what many others have welcomed as a much-needed religious awakening" (John Edgar Wideman).
Condemn usually applies to harsh moral judgment: "The wrongs which we seek to condemn and punish have been so calculated, so malignant and so devastating that civilization cannot tolerate their being ignored because it cannot survive their being repeated" (Robert H. Jackson).
Denounce and decry imply public proclamation of condemnation or repudiation: "Fictionalizing in the writing of biography ... has been largely denounced by critics ... and teachers" (Margaret Bush)."The worship of the senses has often, and with much justice, been decried" (Oscar Wilde).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
criticize
(ˈkrɪtɪˌsaɪz) orcriticise
vb
1. to judge (something) with disapproval; censure
2. to evaluate or analyse (something)
ˈcritiˌcizable, ˈcritiˌcisable adj
ˈcritiˌcizer, ˈcritiˌciser n
ˈcritiˌcizingly, ˈcritiˌcisingly adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
crit•i•cize
(ˈkrɪt əˌsaɪz)v. -cized, -ciz•ing. v.t.
1. to find fault with; censure.
2. to judge or discuss the merits of.
v.i. 3. to judge unfavorably or harshly; find fault.
4. to make judgments as to merits and faults.
[1640–50]
crit′i•ciz`a•ble, adj.
crit′i•ciz`er, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
criticize
Past participle: criticized
Gerund: criticizing
| Imperative |
|---|
| criticize |
| criticize |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Verb | 1. | criticize - find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws; "The paper criticized the new movie"; "Don't knock the food--it's free" savage, pillory, crucify, blast - criticize harshly or violently; "The press savaged the new President"; "The critics crucified the author for plagiarizing a famous passage" call on the carpet, chew out, chew up, chide, dress down, have words, bawl out, berate, rebuke, reproof, scold, take to task, call down, lambast, lambaste, lecture, reprimand, remonstrate, trounce, jaw, rag - censure severely or angrily; "The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car"; "The deputy ragged the Prime Minister"; "The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup" reprehend - express strong disapproval of deplore - express strong disapproval of; "We deplore the government's treatment of political prisoners" belabor, belabour - attack verbally with harsh criticism; "She was belabored by her fellow students" come down - criticize or reprimand harshly; "The critics came down hard on the new play" denounce - speak out against; "He denounced the Nazis" find fault, blame, pick - harass with constant criticism; "Don't always pick on your little brother" disparage, belittle, pick at - express a negative opinion of; "She disparaged her student's efforts" nitpick - be overly critical; criticize minor details lash out, attack, snipe, assail, assault, round - attack in speech or writing; "The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker" comment, point out, remark, notice - make or write a comment on; "he commented the paper of his colleague" harsh on - criticize harshly; "the teacher keeps harshing on the same kid" praise - express approval of; "The parents praised their children for their academic performance" |
| 2. | criticize - act as a critic; "Those who criticize others often are not perfect, either" act - discharge one's duties; "She acts as the chair"; "In what capacity are you acting?" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
criticize
verb
1. find fault with, censure, disapprove of, knock (informal), blast, pan (informal), condemn, slam (slang), flame (informal), carp, put down, slate (informal), have a go (at) (informal), disparage, tear into (informal), diss (slang, chiefly U.S.), nag at, lambast(e), pick holes in, excoriate, pick to pieces, give (someone or something) a bad press, pass strictures upon His mother had rarely criticized him or any of her children.
find fault with praise, compliment, commend, laud (literary), extol, big up (slang, chiefly Caribbean)
find fault with praise, compliment, commend, laud (literary), extol, big up (slang, chiefly Caribbean)
Quotations
"To criticize is to appreciate, to appropriate, to take intellectual possession, to establish in fine a relation with the criticized thing and to make its own" [Henry James What Maisie Knew]
"To criticize is to appreciate, to appropriate, to take intellectual possession, to establish in fine a relation with the criticized thing and to make its own" [Henry James What Maisie Knew]
Proverbs
"People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones"
"People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones"
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
criticize
verb2. To write a critical report on:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
kritizovatrecenzovatkriticky posoudit
kritisereanmelde
arvustama
arvostellakritisoidamoittiaarvioida
kritizirati
bírálmegbírál
gagnrÿna
批判する
비평하다
kriticky posúdiť
grajatikritiziratioceniti
kritisera
วิจารณ์
eleştirmektenkit etmekeleştiride bulunmak
phê phán
criticize
[ˈkrɪtɪsaɪz] VT & VI (= review, find fault) → criticarI don't wish to criticize, but → no quisiera criticar, pero ...
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
criticize
[ˈkrɪtɪsaɪz] criticise (British) vt [+ person] → critiquer; [+ decision, policy, actions, performance] → critiquerCollins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
criticize
vi → kritisieren
vt → kritisieren; to criticize somebody for something → jdn für etw kritisieren; I criticized her for always being late → ich kritisierte sie dafür, dass sie immer zu spät kommt
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
critic
(ˈkritik) noun1. a person who judges or comments on books, art etc. He is the book critic for the local newspaper.
2. a person who finds fault. His critics would say that he is unsuitable for the job.
ˈcritical adjective1. judging and analysing. He has written several critical works on Shakespeare.
2. fault-finding. He tends to be critical of his children.
3. of, at or having the nature of, a crisis; very serious. a critical shortage of food; After the accident, his condition was critical.
ˈcritically adverbˈcriticize, ˈcriticise (-saiz) verb
1. to find fault (with). He's always criticizing her.
2. to give an opinion of or judgement on a book etc.
ˈcriticism nounKernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
criticize
→ يَنْتَقِدُ kritizovat kritisere kritisieren επικρίνω criticar arvostella critiquer kritizirati criticare 批判する 비평하다 bekritiseren kritisere skrytykować criticar осуждать kritisera วิจารณ์ eleştirmek phê phán 批评Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009