hypercritical
/'haipə:'kritikəl/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Excessively and unreasonably critical: Describes a person who judges others or things with extreme severity, often focusing on minor faults or imperfections. This criticism goes beyond what is fair or constructive.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- She became hypercritical of her own work, finding flaws in every detail.
- The hypercritical reviewer dismissed the entire film because of a single continuity error.
- Living with a hypercritical parent can damage a child's self-esteem.
Advanced Usage
- "to be hypercritical of/ about something": This is the standard prepositional structure.
- He is hypercritical about table manners.
- The term often implies a negative, nitpicking attitude rather than helpful, discerning feedback.
Variants and Related Words
- Hypercritically (adverb): In an excessively critical manner.
- He analyzed the report hypercritically.
- Hypercriticism (noun): The practice or trait of being hypercritical.
- The team's progress was hampered by constant hypercriticism.
Synonyms
- Overcritical: Excessively critical.
- Captious: Tending to find fault or raise petty objections.
- Carping: Constantly complaining or finding fault in an irritating way.
- Nitpicking: Looking for small, unimportant errors or faults.
Antonyms
- Uncritical: Not inclined to criticize; accepting.
- Undemanding: Not requiring high standards.
- Tolerant: Showing willingness to allow the existence of opinions or behavior one does not necessarily agree with.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To split hairs: To make small, unnecessary distinctions; similar in spirit to being hypercritical about trivial details.
- Arguing about the exact wording is just splitting hairs.
- To look a gift horse in the mouth: To be critical of something received for free, which relates to being ungratefully hypercritical.
- Don't be hypercritical about the gift; it's the thought that counts.
Adjective
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inclined to judge too severely
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hypercritical of colloquial speech
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the overcritical teacher can discourage originality
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