English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

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

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈkɹɪtɪsaɪz/
  • (file)
  • Hyphenation: crit‧i‧cize

Verb edit

criticize (third-person singular simple present criticizes, present participle criticizing, simple past and past participle criticized) (transitive, intransitive)

  1. To find fault (with something).
    Synonyms: censure, pick at; see also Thesaurus:criticize
    Hyponyms: find fault, shoot down, run down, trash out, fustigate, drub, excoriate
    They criticized him for endangering people's lives.
  2. To evaluate (something), assessing its merits and faults.
    Synonyms: censure, appraise, judge

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Further reading edit