Word.ws English Dictionary

Synonyms of criticize

71 similar words · 5 opposite words

Another word for criticize is condemn. Other synonyms of criticize are blame, censure, rebuke, reproach and denounce. The opposite of criticize is praise.

Synonyms and similar words for criticize

verbTo find fault (with something).

  • censureTo criticize harshly.
  • pick atTo pick on or repeatedly criticize (someone).

verbTo evaluate (something), assessing its merits and faults.

  • appraise
  • judgeTo criticize or label another person or thing; to be judgmental toward.

verbMore synonyms

  • admonishTo inform or notify of a fault; to rebuke in a serious tone; to tell off.
  • animadvert
  • bashTo criticize harshly.
  • bawl out
  • tilt
  • cannonadeTo discharge artillery fire upon.
  • slashTo criticize cuttingly.
  • lash
  • blameTo censure (someone or something); to criticize.
  • scorch informal
  • blastTo criticize or reprimand severely; to verbally discipline or punish.
  • berateTo chide or scold vehemently.
  • castigateTo punish or reprimand someone severely.
  • charge
  • chastiseTo castigate; to scold or censure.
  • chew outTo lecture, scold, reprimand, or rebuke, especially in an angry tone of voice.
  • chide
  • condemnTo strongly criticise or denounce; to excoriate.
  • denounceTo criticize or speak out against (someone or something); to point out as deserving of reprehension, etc.; to openly...
  • denunciateTo condemn openly.
  • deprecateTo express disapproval of, protest or plead against.
  • derogate
  • dispraiseTo notice with disapprobation or some degree of censure; to disparage, to criticize.
  • drag slangTo roast, say negative things about, or call attention to the flaws of (someone).
  • dress down
  • eat someone aliveTo criticize harshly or rebuke strongly.
  • excoriateTo strongly condemn or criticize.
  • find faultTo criticize something excessively.
  • fulminateTo make a verbal attack.
  • get at
  • get downTo criticise; to be strict towards.
  • get up Australia
  • give somebody a piece of one's mind
  • give somebody what-for
  • inveigh
  • lace intoTo vigorously attack, either physically or verbally.
  • lambasteTo scold, reprimand or criticize harshly.
  • lay into
  • lecture
  • light intoTo set upon or attack.
  • objurgate
  • pooh-poohTo dismiss idly with contempt or derision; to diminish.
  • put someone on blast slangTo embarrass by publicly denouncing or exposing, especially by using social media.
  • rate
  • read somebody the riot act
  • rebukeTo criticise harshly; to reprove.
  • reprehendTo criticize, to reprove.
  • reprimandTo reprove in a formal or official way.
  • reproachTo criticize or rebuke (someone).
  • reproveTo express disapproval.
  • rip into
  • rubbish AustraliaTo criticize, to denigrate, to denounce, to disparage.
  • savage
  • scold
  • skewer figuratively
  • slamTo speak badly of; to criticize forcefully.
  • slateTo criticize or critique (an author or a work) harshly; to castigate.
  • tear intoTo subject to a heavy attack, physical or figurative.
  • tell off
  • threap
  • tick offTo reprimand.
  • tosh
  • keelhaul
  • upbraidTo criticize severely.
  • vilifyTo say defamatory things about someone or something; to speak ill of.
  • vituperateTo criticize (someone or something) in an abusive or harsh manner.
  • berisp obsoleteTo censure; reprove.

Opposite of criticize

verbMore antonyms

  • commend
  • complimentTo pay a compliment (to someone); to express a favourable opinion (of someone).
  • congratulate
  • laudTo praise; to glorify.
  • praiseTo give praise to; to commend, glorify, or worship.

Meaning of criticize

  1. verb To find fault (with something).
  2. verb To evaluate (something), assessing its merits and faults.

Full definition of criticize

criticize in other languages

Questions about synonyms of criticize

What is another word for criticize?
Criticize has 71 synonyms on Word.ws, such as condemn, blame, censure, rebuke, reproach, denounce, vilify and admonish.
What is the opposite of criticize?
The opposite of criticize is praise. Other antonyms of criticize are compliment and laud.
What does criticize mean?
Criticize means to find fault (with something).

Source and license

Adapted from Wiktionary: criticize (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.

Last updated:

Cite this page: “Synonyms of criticize.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/criticize. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.