Criticize Definition & Meaning

American

British

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms criticize American [krit-uh-sahyz] / ˈkrɪt əˌsaɪz / especially British, criticise

verb (used with object)

criticized, criticizing

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)

criticized, criticizing

1. to find fault; judge unfavorably or harshly.

2. to make judgments as to merits and faults.

criticize British / ˈkrɪtɪˌsaɪz /

verb

1. to judge (something) with disapproval; censure

2. to evaluate or analyse (something)

"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

Other Word Forms

• criticizable adjective
• criticizer noun
• criticizingly adverb
• noncriticizing adjective
• overcriticize verb
• precriticize verb (used with object)
• recriticize verb (used with object)
• uncriticizable adjective
• uncriticizably adverb
• uncriticized adjective
• uncriticizing adjective
• uncriticizingly adverb
• well-criticized adjective

Etymology

Origin of criticize

First recorded in 1640–50; critic + -ize

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.

Support performance is not immune from scrutiny; a Pentagon watchdog has recently criticized aspects of F-35 maintenance and aircraft availability.

From MarketWatch

Spirit supporters criticized Grimes for promoting himself using the sisters’ fame.

From Literature

David Tepper, the billionaire founder of hedge fund Appaloosa Management, on Wednesday criticized Whirlpool WHR -0.88%decrease; red down pointing triangle , accusing the appliance maker of destroying shareholder value and calling for sweeping strategic changes.

From The Wall Street Journal

It was a charming and funny aside that some users of social media naturally used to criticize Cannavale and try to gin up a controversy.

From Los Angeles Times

Both were criticized for proving to be lackluster contests, but drew enormous global attention.

From Barron's

Related Words

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

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.