noun
criticism
Judgment that identifies faults or evaluates the quality of something.
She welcomes constructive criticism because it helps improve her writing.
Etymology
The Greek source concerns judgment. Criticism names that evaluative activity, ranging from identifying faults to weighing a work’s qualities and merits.
More examples
- His main criticism of the plan concerns its high cost.
- The course introduces students to literary criticism.
- Several criticisms of the new policy seem fair.
Forms
Similar words
- critique
- Usually a detailed assessment, not simply an expression of disapproval.
- evaluation
- Emphasizes assessing quality or value rather than pointing out faults.
- disapproval
- Expresses a negative opinion without necessarily offering detailed analysis.