criticize
v.-
1 to find fault (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto say that something or someone is bad or wrong.
to express disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes.
ExampleThe manager criticized the team for arriving late to the meeting.
ExampleThe opposition party criticized the government's new economic policy, arguing that it would disproportionately affect low-income families.
UsageOften used with the preposition 'for' to indicate the reason for the disapproval.
PitfallHe 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'.
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2 to evaluate work (v.) C1 Advanced Academicto look at a book, movie, or piece of art and judge its good and bad points.
to examine and judge a literary or artistic work in a detailed and analytical way.
ExampleIn our English class, we had to criticize a famous poem.
ExampleThe students were asked to criticize the methodology used in the study, identifying both its strengths and its logical inconsistencies.
Teacher's tipIn modern English, 'criticize' usually sounds negative. For a neutral academic evaluation, 'critique' is often preferred.
From critic + -ize; first element from Ancient Greek κριτικός (kritikós, “of or for judging, able to discern”), from κρίσις (krísis, “decision, judgement”).