English Explanatory Dictionary

criticize

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To find fault (with something).
  2. To evaluate (something), assessing its merits and faults.

Pronunciation

/ˈkɹɪtɪsaɪz/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-criticize.wav

Word forms

criticize criticizes criticizing criticized criticise

Etymology

From critic + -ize; first element from Ancient Greek κριτικός (kritikós, “of or for judging, able to discern”), from κρίσις (krísis, “decision, judgement”).

Synonyms

admonish animadvert bash bawl out slash lash blame scorch blast berate berisp castigate censure charge chastise chew out chide condemn criticize denounce denunciate deprecate derogate dispraise drag dress down eat someone alive excoriate find fault fulminate get at get down get up give somebody a piece of one's mind give somebody what-for inveigh lace into lambaste lay into lecture light into objurgate pooh-pooh put someone on blast rate read somebody the riot act rebuke reprehend reprimand reproach reprove rip into rubbish savage scold skewer slam slate tear into tell off

Antonyms

commend compliment congratulate laud praise

Related words

critic critical criticism criticizable critique scold complain discipline

Derived words

countercriticize criticization criticizer criticizingly hypercriticize overcriticize recriticize uncriticized uncriticizing
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