Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):
   • To express disapproval of someone or something by identifying perceived faults or mistakes; to judge or evaluate something, often unfavourably.
   • To analyse and discuss the merits and faults of a work of literature, art, music, etc., as a professional critic.

Usage

• The verb "criticise" is used when someone points out what they believe is wrong or bad about a person, action, idea, or object.
• It can be followed by a direct object (e.g., ) or used with a preposition like "for" (e.g., ).
• It often carries a negative connotation of fault-finding but can also be neutral when referring to formal analysis.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The teacher had to criticise the student's poorly researched essay.
  • It is easy to criticise others but harder to see our own faults.
  • The article criticises the government's new policy for being short-sighted.
  • As a film reviewer, her job is to criticise movies fairly and constructively.

Advanced Usage

• "criticise someone/something for something": To state reasons for disapproval.
  • He was criticised for his lack of attention to detail.
• "criticise someone/something as something": To describe someone or something in a disapproving way.
  • The proposal was criticised as being unworkable.

Variants and Related Words

• Criticism (n): The act or an instance of criticising; a critical comment or judgment.
  • She welcomed constructive criticism on her project.
• Critic (n): A person who judges, evaluates, or analyses artistic or literary works, or a person who finds fault.
  • The critic wrote a scathing review of the play.
• Critical (adj): Inclined to find fault; involving careful analysis or judgment.
  • He is often critical of modern architecture.
• Critique (n/v): A detailed analysis and assessment, often used as a more formal synonym for a critical review.
  • She wrote a thoughtful critique of the novel.

Synonyms

• Censure: To express severe disapproval, often formally.
• Condemn: To declare something wrong or evil, stronger than criticise.
• Fault-find: To constantly look for and point out minor flaws.
• Pan (informal): To criticise a creative work very harshly.
• Review: To assess something formally, which can involve both praise and criticism.

Phrasal Verbs / Related Constructions

• Pick apart / Pick holes in something: (Idiomatic) To criticise something by focusing on many small faults.
  • He picked the plan apart during the meeting.
• Lay into someone (informal): To criticise or attack someone verbally with great force.
  • His boss really laid into him for missing the deadline.

Related Idioms

• The pot calling the kettle black: (Idiom) Used to highlight hypocrisy when someone criticises another for a fault they possess themselves. This relates to the concept in the reference definition: "Those who criticize others often are not perfect, either."
  • He accused me of being lazy? That's the pot calling the kettle black!
• Armchair critic: A person who offers criticism or advice without direct experience or responsibility.
  • Don't listen to him; he's just an armchair critic who's never managed a team.

Verb

1. act as a critic
   • Those who criticize others often are not perfect, either
2. find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws
   • The paper criticized the new movie
   • Don't knock the food--it's free