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criticism

/ˌkrɪdəˈsɪzəm/
/ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
IPA guide

Other forms: criticisms

If you dye your hair bright blue, you're likely to get some criticism from people who just don't understand your personal style. When you're on the receiving end of criticism, you are being judged in a disapproving way.

The noun criticism is most often used to describe negative commentary about something or someone, but it's just as correct to use criticism to mean "an examination or judgment." Critics who review books and movies consider their reviews to be criticism, whether they're positive or negative. So the criticism you receive doesn't have to be all about your faults; it can actually be a pleasant experience.

Definitions of criticism
  1. noun
    a serious examination and judgment of something
    “constructive criticism is always appreciated”
    synonyms: critique
    see moresee less
    types:
    examen
    a critical study (as of a writer's work)
    knock, roast
    negative criticism
    self-criticism
    criticism of yourself
    type of:
    critical analysis, critical appraisal
    an appraisal based on careful analytical evaluation
  2. noun
    a written evaluation of a work of literature
    synonyms: literary criticism
    see moresee less
    types:
    explication de texte
    a method of literary criticism that analyzes details of a text in order to reveal its structure and meaning
    textual criticism
    comparison of a particular text with related materials in order to establish authenticity
    new criticism
    literary criticism based on close analysis of the text
    analysis
    a form of literary criticism in which the structure of a piece of writing is analyzed
    critical review, critique, review, review article
    an essay or article that gives a critical evaluation (as of a book or play)
    higher criticism
    the scientific study of biblical writings to determine their origin and meaning
    lower criticism
    the study of existing manuscripts of the Scriptures in order to determine the original text
    Masora, Masorah
    a vast body of textual criticism of the Hebrew Scriptures including notes on features of writing and on the occurrence of certain words and on variant sources and instructions for pronunciation and other comments that were written between AD 600 and 900 by Jewish scribes in the margins or at the end of texts
    book review
    a critical review of a book (usually a recently published book)
    notice
    a short critical review
    rave
    an extravagantly enthusiastic review
    type of:
    piece of writing, writing, written material
    the work of a writer; anything expressed in letters of the alphabet (especially when considered from the point of view of style and effect)
  3. noun
    disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
    “the senator received severe criticism from his opponent”
    see moresee less
    types:
    attack
    strong criticism
    brickbat
    blunt criticism
    carping, faultfinding
    persistent petty and unjustified criticism
    attack, blast, fire, flack, flak
    intense adverse criticism
    thrust
    verbal criticism
    potshot
    criticism aimed at an easy target and made without careful consideration
    rebuke, reprehension, reprimand, reproof, reproval
    an act or expression of criticism and censure
    slating
    a severely critical attack
    static
    angry criticism
    stricture
    severe criticism
    aspersion, calumny, defamation, denigration, slander
    an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
    riot act
    a vigorous reprimand
    chiding, objurgation, scolding, tongue-lashing
    rebuking a person harshly
    what for
    a strong reprimand
    berating, blowing up
    a severe rebuke
    reproach
    a mild rebuke or criticism
    lecture, speech, talking to
    a lengthy rebuke
    chastening, chastisement, correction
    a rebuke for making a mistake
    admonishment, admonition, monition
    a firm rebuke
    type of:
    disapproval
    the expression of disapproval
Pronunciation
US
/ˌkrɪdəˈsɪzəm/
UK
/ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘criticism'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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