noun

critic

KRIT-ik/ˈkrɪtɪk/

a person who evaluates something and expresses judgments about its quality or faults

The art critic points out a flaw in the portrait.

An art critic closely examines a portrait painting, pointing out its visibly misaligned eyes with a skeptical expression while the artist listens beside the easel.

Etymology

The root links separating with deciding: a critic distinguishes merits and faults in forming a judgment. The English noun has also long carried the sharper sense of a faultfinder.

In context

Progressive Corner20:30

Tom Tillis said this, "This is bad policy. It's bad timing and it's bad politics." He is not a critic from the other party. He is inside the building.

Isaiah Martin EXPOSES MAGA Pundit’s Massive Contradiction LIVE on CNN

More examples

A food critic reviewed the new restaurant.
Even the policy's harshest critics welcomed that improvement.
She became a respected critic of modern painting.

Forms

critic · critics

criticism noun — evaluation or an expression of faults

critical adjective — involving judgment or disapproval

Similar words

reviewer: Usually evaluates a particular work or product for an audience.
commentator: May explain events without evaluating artistic quality or merit.