criticizing
Pointing out flaws
Criticizing is pointing out faults or flaws in something or someone.
The word carries a negative connotation—to criticize usually means to find fault rather than to evaluate neutrally: She's always criticizing my driving.
Critics professionally evaluate art and performance, but even there, criticizing often implies unfavorable judgment: He spent the whole review criticizing the director's choices.
Voicing sharp disapproval
- scoldingHarsh verbal criticism
- chidingVoicing mild disapproval
- admonishingExpressing disapproval firmly
- reprimandingFormally expressing disapproval
upbraiding · berating · castigating · censuring · condemning · denouncing · reproving · lambasting
Judging quality or worth
- assessingEvaluating worth or significance
- appraisingEstimating value or quality
- examiningInspecting with care
- scrutinizingExamining something very closely
analyzing · reviewing · dissecting · interpreting · weighing · considering · judging · probing
Expressing unfavorable opinion
- condescendingSuperior and dismissive manner
- censoriousSeverely critical in judgment
- faultfindingSeeking out imperfections
- nitpickingExcessive focus on trivialities
captious · carping · caviling · petty · quibbling · holier-than-thou · sanctimonious · preachy
Severely and bitingly critical
- vitriolicHarshly bitter and corrosive
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
- acerbicSharp and biting
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
biting · savage · merciless · unsparing · stinging · severe · brutal · devastating
Returned response data
- improvementPositive change in quality
- suggestionsProposed ideas or advice
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- adviceGuidance on decisions
coaching · mentorship · helpful · supportive · encouraging · developmental · corrective · instructive
rebuking
Voicing sharp disapproval
- scoldingHarsh verbal criticism
- chidingVoicing mild disapproval
- admonishingExpressing disapproval firmly
reprimanding · upbraiding · berating · castigating · censuring · condemning · denouncing · reproving · lambasting · blaming
evaluating
Judging quality or worth
- assessingEvaluating worth or significance
- appraisingEstimating value or quality
- examiningInspecting with care
scrutinizing · analyzing · reviewing · dissecting · interpreting · weighing · considering · judging · probing · investigating
disapproving
Expressing unfavorable opinion
- condescendingSuperior and dismissive manner
- censoriousSeverely critical in judgment
- faultfindingSeeking out imperfections
nitpicking · captious · carping · caviling · petty · quibbling · holier-than-thou · sanctimonious · preachy · moralistic
scathing
Severely and bitingly critical
- vitriolicHarshly bitter and corrosive
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
- acerbicSharp and biting
cutting · biting · savage · merciless · unsparing · stinging · severe · brutal · devastating · blistering
feedback
Returned response data
- improvementPositive change in quality
- suggestionsProposed ideas or advice
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
advice · coaching · mentorship · helpful · supportive · encouraging · developmental · corrective · instructive · formative
- bad behaviorslying, cheating, stealing, rudeness, gossiping
- reproachesblaming, scolding, rebuking, reprimanding, censuring
- conversationlistening, talk, talking, chat, speaking
- interactionstalking, sharing, greeting, helping, listening
- emotional expressiontone, laughing, mood, yelling, crying
- speech actsspeaking, talking, uttering, pronouncement, locution
criticizingpraising
Voicing admiration
complimenting · commending · applauding · lauding · extolling
criticizingencouraging
Giving confidence or hope
supporting · endorsing · defending · championing · boosting
critical, criticism, critic, criticize, criticized, uncritical, criticizes, hypercritical, criticised