55 Synonyms for Criticize

55 Synonyms for Criticize 55 Synonyms for â€Å"Criticize† 55 Synonyms for â€Å"Criticize† By Mark Nichol One of life’s great pleasures is the opportunity to criticize others, so it shouldn’t surprise you that the verb criticize has a rich repository of synonyms that offers so many options for expressing your low opinions of people or their words or deeds. I’ve divided the list below into four general categories. Generally, only the first features words with distinct connotations, which I’ve included; the others are fairly interchangeable within each category, and even across categories. Words Expressing Disapproval 1. Admonish: to give gentle, earnest advice 2. Censure: to condemn with formal disciplinary action 3. Chasten: to discipline or restrain 4. Chastise: to communicate severe disappointment 5. Chide: to offer mild constructive criticism 6. Condemn: to criticize wrongdoing 7. Decry: to communicate strong disapproval 8. Denounce: to target someone for disapproval, usually publicly 9. Dispraise: to publicly criticize 10. Excoriate: to indicate scathing disapproval 11. Fault: to blame 12. Fulminate: to publicly criticize 13. Lambaste: to attack verbally 14. Reprehend: to voice criticism 15. Reproach: to communicate disappointment 16. Upbraid: to offer severe criticism 17. Vituperate: to abusively criticize Words Expressing Disparagement 18. Belittle 19. Cry down 20. Denigrate 21. Depreciate 22. Derogate 23. Knock 24. Poor-mouth 25. Run down 26. Talk down 27. Vilipend Words Expressing Severe Criticism 28. Bad-mouth 29. Castigate 30. Flay 31. Hammer 32. Lace (into) 33. Lay (into) 34. Pan (especially to criticize a performance or a proposal) 35. Slag Words Expressing Reprimand or Scolding 36. Bawl out 37. Berate 38. Call down (another meaning is â€Å"to invite or entreat†) 39. Chew out 40. Dress down 41. Harangue 42. Jaw 43. Keelhaul 44. Lecture 45. Rag 46. Rail (against) 47. Rant 48. Rate 49. Ream (or ream out) 50. Rebuke 51. Reprove 52. Score 53. Tongue-lash 54-55. Two additional words used only in their noun form are commination (â€Å"denunciation†) and objurgation (â€Å"a harsh rebuke†). Many other words such as assail and scathe can be suitable depending on the context but have senses closer to â€Å"attack† than â€Å"criticize.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Comparative Forms of AdjectivesHang, Hung, HangedPresent Participle as Adjective