Word
criticize
Phoneticscrit·i·cize, stress on the first syllable
/ˈkɹɪtɪˌsaɪz/
UK spelling · criticise
Definitions
01to find fault
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to say that something or someone is bad or wrong.
v. to express disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes.
“The manager criticized the team for arriving late to the meeting.”
“The opposition party criticized the government's new economic policy, arguing that it would disproportionately affect low-income families.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'for' to indicate the reason for the disapproval.
Pitfall
He criticized about my new haircut.
He criticized my new haircut.
The verb 'criticize' is transitive and takes a direct object; do not use the preposition 'about'.
Antonyms
02to evaluate work
C1 · Advanced Academic
v. to look at a book, movie, or piece of art and judge its good and bad points.
v. to examine and judge a literary or artistic work in a detailed and analytical way.
“In our English class, we had to criticize a famous poem.”
“The students were asked to criticize the methodology used in the study, identifying both its strengths and its logical inconsistencies.”
Teaching tip
In modern English, 'criticize' usually sounds negative. For a neutral academic evaluation, 'critique' is often preferred.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “criticize” in context.
Verb
01. criticize someone for
“Many people criticized the mayor for his slow response to the emergency.”
verb + noun + prep
02. tend to criticize
“He tends to criticize others without offering any helpful suggestions for improvement.”
verb + infinitive
Noun
03. opportunity to criticize
“The press conference gave journalists an opportunity to criticize the proposed law.”
noun + infinitive
04. right to criticize
“Citizens should have the right to criticize their leaders without fear of punishment.”
noun + infinitive
Adverb
05. fairly criticize
“The reviewer tried to fairly criticize the film by highlighting both its strengths and its flaws.”
adv + verb
06. harshly criticize
“The opposition party harshly criticized the government's new economic policy.”
adv + verb
07. publicly criticize
“It is generally considered unprofessional to publicly criticize your colleagues on social media.”
adv + verb
Real-World Examples
“Shabjdeed, a rapper in the West Bank, criticized a fellow Palestinian musician in a song, saying his Western lifestyle and lyrics were far removed from life back home.” “In March he criticised the club after a heavy defeat by Paris St-Germain in the Champions League - and then said his dream was to move to Madrid.” Etymology
From critic + -ize; first element from Ancient Greek κριτικός (kritikós, “of or for judging, able to discern”), from κρίσις (krísis, “decision, judgement”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
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