criticism

noun

ˈkri-tə-ˌsi-zəm How to pronounce criticism (audio)
Definition of criticismnext
as in critique
an essay evaluating or analyzing something every criticism of the movie has noted that there are major holes in its plot

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of criticism Fried practices art history and criticism as a poetic, almost magical endeavor. — Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026 Rather than translating existing work from The Rumpus, El Alboroto will commission and publish original Spanish-language writing spanning cultural criticism, personal essays, interviews, fiction, poetry and comics. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026 This was not the first time that the Jennifer’s Body actress has refused to ignore harsh criticism on her Instagram posts. — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026 Still, collisions involving Waymo vehicles have garnered public attention and criticism, including when a Waymo struck and killed a beloved neighborhood cat in San Francisco last year. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for criticism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criticism
  1. critique
  2. review
Noun
  • Questions about Arday’s qualifications were raised publicly last month by Nathan Cofnas, a one-time Cambridge philosophy researcher who left the university after his critique of diversity, equity and inclusion programs sparked widespread protests.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Plagiarism investigation Questions about Arday’s qualifications were raised publicly last month by Nathan Cofnas, a onetime Cambridge philosophy researcher who left the university after his critique of DEI programs sparked widespread protests.
    — Sylvia Hui, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of critique
Noun
  • The amendments will not go through the standard committee review and there will be no public record of who demanded the changes, or why.
    — Julie Watts, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Carr asserted that the timing was a coincidence and the license review was related to his DEI probe.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of review

Browse Nearby Words

criticasters
criticism
criticisms
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Criticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criticism. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on criticism

Nglish: Translation of criticism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about criticism

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