Sometimes you encounter things worth criticizing. That’s when you need some biting criticism words to help you make a difference.
Incisive language creates change. Finding the right words convinces listeners of your point of view. It goads people into changing their behavior. Criticism words can change the world.
We’ve assembled a list of criticism words with definitions and examples. Add your favorites to your vocabulary. Then start fighting injustice, providing clearer feedback, and saying what you really mean.
Asinine
adj. AS·i·nine: very stupid and silly
Hiring clowns to do your taxes is an asinine suggestion.
Atrocious
adj. a·TRO·cious: very evil or cruel
The Hague denounced the dictator’s atrocious imprisonment and torture of rival candidates.
Deleterious
adj. del·e·TER·i·ous: damaging or harmful
Flouting environmental protection standards is deleterious to wildlife.
Detestable
adj. de·TEST·a·ble: causing or deserving strong dislike
Melony’s team gasped at her detestable impersonation of their disabled coworker.
Detrimental
adj. det·ri·MEN·tal: causing damage or injury
Student loan debt proved detrimental to Hwan’s post-graduation plans.
Dubious
adj. DU·bi·ous: causing doubt, uncertainty, or suspicion
John’s claim of innocence seemed dubious in light of such the strong evidence against him.
Ignominious
adj. ig·no·MIN·i·ous: causing disgrace or shame
Such acts of ignominious bigotry leave bystanders embarrassed and ashamed.
Incendiary
n. in·CEN·di·ary: a person who excites factions, quarrels, or sedition
The incendiary used his influence to incite disagreements between people who used to get along with each other.
Intransigent
adj. in·TRAN·si·gent: completely unwilling to change
Juanita’s opinion was so intransigent that even the most reasoned arguments couldn’t sway her.
Marionette
n. mar·i·o·NETTE: a puppet that is moved by pulling strings or wires that are attached to its body
The new leader was actually a marionette who did the bidding of corrupt officials behind the scenes.
Misogynistic
adj. mi·so·gy·NIS·tic: feeling or expressing a hatred for women
Donny’s misogynistic comments about the women he worked with were obscene enough to get him fired for sexual harassment.
Opprobrious
adj. op·PRO·bri·ous: deserving of very strong disapproval or criticism especially by a large number of people
Millions used social media to condemn the celebrity’s opprobrious remarks.
Paltry
adj. PAL·try: very small or too small in amount; also: having little meaning, importance, or worth
Truman’s paltry contributions to charity surprised more generous philanthropists everywhere.
Profligate
adj. PROF·li·gate: carelessly and foolishly wasting money, materials, etc.
The construction project’s profligate developers spent more than three times the expected cost.
Reprehensible
adj. rep·re·HEN·si·ble: deserving very strong criticism
Rhonda urged her followers to condemn the governor’s reprehensible conduct.
Reprobate
adj. REP·ro·bate: morally corrupt
Religious leaders condemned the star’s reprobate overtures towards married women.
Repugnant
adj. re·PUG·nant: causing a strong feeling of dislike or disgust
Shaunee informed the restaurant manager that the food she sent back to the kitchen had tasted repugnant.
Tawdry
adj. TAW·dry: having a cheap and ugly appearance; also: morally low or bad
The mayor’s tawdry, thrift-store sweater was a metaphor for his tawdry campaign of mudslinging.
Tendentious
adj. ten·DEN·tious: strongly favoring a particular point of view in a way that may cause argument
The tendentious remarks took reasonable positions to the extreme, causing raucous arguments among people who would otherwise not have cared about the topic.
Venal
adj. VE·nal: willing to do dishonest things in return for money
The venal stock broker was never charged with bribery, even though his corruption was common knowledge on Wall Street.
Xenophobic
adj. xe·no·PHO·bic: being unduly fearful of what is foreign and especially of people of foreign origin
Racial prejudices can leave people afraid of other cultures, which can lead to all kinds of xenophobic opinions and policies.
What are your favorite criticism words?
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Source:
Definitions from Merriam-Webster