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.

Faqir denied to her ever criticizing the government.

From The Wall Street Journal

Then, Sanders criticized members of Congress for dragging their feet on AI legislation.

From Barron's

Even within France, reactions to her death reflect a spectrum: President Emmanuel Macron called her a “legend of the century,” while others criticized the harm of her rhetoric.

From Salon

Saudi Arabia on Thursday criticized the STC for not coordinating its military moves with other constituencies in the south.

From The Wall Street Journal

McElroy cited recent shootings at Brown University and MIT in criticizing the administration’s plan to slash funds for counterterrorism and law enforcement programs.

From Salon

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.