hypercritical

/'haipə:'kritikəl/

Thân thiện

The hypercritical editor marked every minor error in the manuscript.

Definition

1. 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.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. inclined to judge too severely
   • hypercritical of colloquial speech
   • the overcritical teacher can discourage originality

Từ đồng nghĩa

• overcritical