Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Harshly critical or expressing censure: Describes a person, attitude, or remark that is severely judgmental and quick to find fault, often in a moralistic or self-righteous manner.

Usage

The word "censorious" is used to describe someone who is severely critical of others, especially regarding their morals or perceived faults. It implies a tendency to condemn or blame. - It is typically used in formal or literary contexts. - It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting the criticism is excessive, unfair, or hypocritical.

Examples

• The manager's censorious tone made the employees reluctant to propose new ideas.
• She received a censorious letter from the committee regarding her conduct.
• His censorious attitude towards modern fashion revealed his conservative views.

Advanced Usage

• "to be censorious of": This is the most common construction, used to indicate the target of the harsh criticism.
  • The editorial was bitterly censorious of the government's handling of the crisis.
• Used to describe an abstract quality like a "spirit," "eye," or "air."
  • He watched the proceedings with a censorious eye.

Variants and Related Words

• Censoriously (adverb): In a severely critical manner.
  • He spoke censoriously about the decline in community values.
• Censoriousness (noun): The quality or state of being severely critical.
  • Her constant censoriousness drove her friends away.

Synonyms

• Critical: Inclined to find fault or judge with severity. (Less harsh than "censorious").
• Condemnatory: Expressing strong disapproval.
• Hypercritical: Excessively and unreasonably critical.
• Fault-finding: Constantly looking for and pointing out flaws.

Antonyms

• Complimentary: Expressing praise or admiration.
• Approving: Showing or feeling acceptance or agreement.
• Laudatory: Expressing praise and commendation.
• Uncritical: Not expressing criticism or using careful judgment.

Idioms and Phrases

While there are no common idioms with the exact word "censorious," the concept is related to the idiom: - "To look down one's nose at (someone/something)": To regard with a feeling of superior disdain or criticism, similar to a censorious attitude.

Adjective

1. harshly critical or expressing censure
   • was censorious of petty failings