criticism noun

1 expressing disapproval of sb/sth

ADJ. bitter, fierce, harsh, heavy, serious, severe, sharp, strident, strong, trenchant | telling A more telling criticism is that he reduces ethics to interpersonal relationships. | adverse, damaging, damning, hostile, negative, scathing | constructive, fair, just, justifiable, legitimate, valid She made a number of valid criticisms. | considerable, extensive, widespread | constant | basic, fundamental | main, major, substantial | minor, moderate | general | direct, explicit, outspoken | implicit, implied, indirect | fresh Two successive defeats have brought fresh criticism. | growing, increasing, mounting | media, press | public

QUANT. barrage The film star faced a barrage of criticism for his behaviour.

VERB + CRITICISM direct, express, level, make, voice Criticism was levelled at senior managers. | attract, be open to, be singled out for, come in for, come under, draw, face, get, meet with, prompt, provoke, receive The government came under fierce criticism for its policies. The proposal is open to several important criticisms. | avoid, deflect, escape, forestall, ward off She sought to deflect criticism by blaming her family. | accept, meet, reply to, respond to, take He finds it hard to take criticism. | counter, dismiss, reject She countered my criticisms by saying we had no choice in the matter. | imply None of what has been said should be taken to imply criticism. | offer to offer criticism and receive it

CRITICISM + VERB come from sb The harshest criticism came from right-wing ideologists. | centre on sth Criticism centred on the lack of information provided.

PREP. ~ about The main criticism about the information provided is that it arrives too late. | ~ against criticisms against the European single currency | ~ for They received criticism for continuing to supply the faulty goods. | ~ from We are bound to face criticism from both sides. | ~ of There has been serious criticism of the teaching methods used in the school. | ~ over We came in for some sharp criticism over this decision.

2 of a play, book, film, etc.

ADJ. practical, textual | academic, art, biblical, cultural, film, historical, literary, music, scientific, social | feminist, Marxist, structuralist

You can also check other dicts: criticism (English, 中文解释 ), wordnet sense, Collins Definition

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