CRITICISM

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does criticism mean? 

• CRITICISM (noun)
  The noun CRITICISM has 3 senses:

1. disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings

2. a serious examination and judgment of something

3. a written evaluation of a work of literature

  Familiarity information: CRITICISM used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CRITICISM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

criticism; unfavorable judgment

Context example:

the senator received severe criticism from his opponent

Hypernyms ("criticism" is a kind of...):

disapproval (the expression of disapproval)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "criticism"):

stricture (severe criticism)

static (angry criticism)

slating (a severely critical attack)

rebuke; reprehension; reprimand; reproof; reproval (an act or expression of criticism and censure)

potshot (criticism aimed at an easy target and made without careful consideration)

thrust (verbal criticism)

attack; blast; fire; flack; flak (intense adverse criticism)

carping; faultfinding (persistent petty and unjustified criticism)

brickbat (blunt criticism)

attack (strong criticism)

Derivation:

critical (marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws)

criticise (find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A serious examination and judgment of something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

criticism; critique

Context example:

constructive criticism is always appreciated

Hypernyms ("criticism" is a kind of...):

critical analysis; critical appraisal (an appraisal based on careful analytical evaluation)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "criticism"):

knock; roast (negative criticism)

self-criticism (criticism of yourself)

examen (a critical study (as of a writer's work))

Derivation:

critical (characterized by careful evaluation and judgment)

criticise (find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A written evaluation of a work of literature

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

criticism; literary criticism

Hypernyms ("criticism" is a kind of...):

piece of writing; writing; written material (the work of a writer; anything expressed in letters of the alphabet (especially when considered from the point of view of style and effect))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "criticism"):

explication de texte (a method of literary criticism that analyzes details of a text in order to reveal its structure and meaning)

textual criticism (comparison of a particular text with related materials in order to establish authenticity)

new criticism (literary criticism based on close analysis of the text)

analysis (a form of literary criticism in which the structure of a piece of writing is analyzed)

critical review; critique; review; review article (an essay or article that gives a critical evaluation (as of a book or play))

Derivation:

critical (of or involving or characteristic of critics or criticism)

criticise (find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws)

 Context examples 

He interrupted again and again with comment and criticism.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

His coming, however, had been a certain comfort to us, since it assured us that we should not have to dread hostile criticism as to any of our acts.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

The finding supports growing criticism that current guideline recommendations to dramatically lower salt intake in the general population may be misguided.

(Study Shows Average Consumption of Salt Good for Heart Health, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

The local papers had taken it up, and daily there appeared columns of learned criticisms, facetious editorials, and serious letters from subscribers.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

"Kind of strange colour for a wolf," was Bill's criticism.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Old Buckhorse was skipping about on a box beside me, shrieking out criticisms and advice in strange, obsolete ring-jargon, which no one could understand.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Their comrades crouched beneath the bulwarks, with many a rough jest and many a scrap of criticism or advice.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A written explanation, observation or criticism added to textual material.

(Comment, NCI Thesaurus)

Every body who saw it was pleased, but Mr. Elton was in continual raptures, and defended it through every criticism.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

You said, Mother, that criticism would help me.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)