criticize
Point out flaws
To criticize is to point out faults or shortcomings: Critics criticized the film for its slow pacing.
The word often implies negative judgment, though criticism can be constructive: She asked him to criticize her essay before submission.
In formal contexts, criticize can mean simply to evaluate or analyze, without necessarily finding fault: The committee criticized the proposal on its merits.
Rebuke harshly
- admonishReprove with counsel
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- chastiseReprimand severely for wrongdoing
- berateCriticize severely and lengthily
upbraid · castigate · chide · lecture · lambaste · dress down · tell off · take to task
Imperfection or blame
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
- disparageExpress low opinion of
- belittleTo make something seem unimportant
deprecate · knock · pan · slam · blast · decry · reproach · scorn
Judge worth or quality
- appraiseDetermine value of
- judgeOne who decides
- reviewCritical written assessment
- examineStudy with attention
analyze · scrutinize · assessment · analysis · examination · interpretation · evaluation · commentary
Claim someone did wrong
- condemnDeclare wrong or guilty
- vilifyAttack someone's reputation
- denigrateCriticize unfairly to harm
- defameHarm reputation falsely
implicate · incriminate · slander · smear · malign · scapegoat · mudslinging · backstab
Angry prolonged outburst
- complainExpress discontent verbally
- gripeVoice minor displeasure
- grumbleLow, discontented murmuring
- bemoanExpress grief vocally
lament · nag · mutter · voice · outspoken · vociferous · carp · kvetch
Attitude or spatial rendering
- viewpointWay of seeing things
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- stanceStanding posture or viewpoint
- sentimentFelt attitude or view
impression · interpretation · subjective · bias · prejudice · take · reaction · response
Returned response data
- improvementPositive change in quality
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
- coachingGuiding others to improve
encouragement · helpful · supportive · beneficial · insightful · instructive · suggestions · pointers
scold
Rebuke harshly
- admonishReprove with counsel
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- chastiseReprimand severely for wrongdoing
berate · upbraid · castigate · chide · lecture · lambaste · dress down · tell off · take to task · tongue-lashing
fault
Imperfection or blame
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
- disparageExpress low opinion of
belittle · deprecate · knock · pan · slam · blast · decry · reproach · scorn · deride
assess
Judge worth or quality
examine · analyze · scrutinize · assessment · analysis · examination · interpretation · evaluation · commentary · annotation
accuse
Claim someone did wrong
defame · implicate · incriminate · slander · smear · malign · scapegoat · mudslinging · backstab · traduce
rant
Angry prolonged outburst
bemoan · lament · nag · mutter · voice · outspoken · vociferous · carp · kvetch · whine
perspective
Attitude or spatial rendering
- viewpointWay of seeing things
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- stanceStanding posture or viewpoint
sentiment · impression · interpretation · subjective · bias · prejudice · take · reaction · response
feedback
Returned response data
- improvementPositive change in quality
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
coaching · encouragement · helpful · supportive · beneficial · insightful · instructive · suggestions · pointers · recommendations
- disapprovaldisapproval, scowl, disapprove, disapproves, frown
- judgmentsjudgment call, judge, moral judgment, value judgment, evaluate
- rebukescold, reprimand, chide, admonish, berate
- scoldingscold, scolding, rebuke, berate, reprimand
- spellingscolour, color, favour, favor, honour
- contemptcontempt, scorn, disdain, despise, derision
criticizepraise
Expression of approval
commend · laud · extol · acclaim · compliment
- constructive criticismFault-finding aimed at improvement
- harsh criticismSevere negative judgment
- literary criticismAnalyzing and evaluating fiction
- film criticismAnalysis and evaluation of cinema
- art criticismAnalyzing visual creative works
- media criticismEvaluating journalistic content
criticism, criticized, criticizing, criticizes, criticised, criticises, criticising, criticise