criticize

verb

crit·​i·​cize ˈkri-tə-ˌsīz How to pronounce criticize (audio)
criticized; criticizing
Synonyms of criticizenext

intransitive verb

: to act as a critic

transitive verb

1
: to consider the merits and demerits of and judge accordingly : evaluate
He asked me to criticize his drawings.
2
: to find fault with : point out the faults of
His boss criticized him for his sloppy work.
criticizable
ˈkri-tə-ˌsī-zə-bəl How to pronounce criticize (audio)
adjective
criticizer noun

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for criticize

criticize, reprehend, censure, reprobate, condemn, denounce mean to find fault with openly.

criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions.

criticized the police for using violence

reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.

reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

Examples of criticize in a Sentence

His boss criticized him for his sloppy work habits. The judge was widely criticized for his verdict. The editor criticized the author's work as trite. It seems as though all he ever does is criticize.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At a time when establishing clarity of first principles has never been more urgent, UF’s law school practically dared anyone to criticize the award for whitewashing the Constitution. — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025 In his post, the New York state Assemblymember criticized online trolls for targeting Duwaji during his mayoral campaign. — Callum Sutherland, Time, 26 June 2025 So how might the author of that manifesto criticize this play? — Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 26 June 2025 Kenneth Tomlinson, appointed chairman of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting by President George W. Bush, criticized Moyers on an ongoing basis for a liberal bias, and others on the right also consistently attacked him, often citing Moyers as key evidence of an overall liberal bias at PBS. — Carmel Dagan, Variety, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for criticize

Word History

Etymology

critic entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of criticize was in 1621

Rhymes for criticize

See All Rhymes for criticize

Browse Nearby Words

criticism
criticize
criticked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Criticize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criticize. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

criticize

verb
crit·​i·​cize ˈkrit-ə-ˌsīz How to pronounce criticize (audio)
criticized; criticizing
1
: to examine and judge as a critic
2
: to find fault with

More from Merriam-Webster on criticize

Nglish: Translation of criticize for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Rack vs. Wrack

Are 'Funner' and 'Funnest' Real Words?

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
illustration of alice and tweedledee and tweedledum
Guess the Literary Image We show you the art, you guess the literary work....
See All