DictionaryAI

criticise

verb
SayKRIT-i-syz/ˈkɹɪtɪsaɪz/

Formscriticises, criticising, criticised

US spellingcriticize · also used in the UK

2 meanings of criticise

Practice

  1. 1
    find faultverbtransitive or intransitive
    To point out faults in someone or something, or to express disapproval of them.

    Opposition MPs criticised the Prime Minister for failing to act sooner.

    People who have never run a business are always the first to criticise.

    UsageUsually the person first, then for the fault: they criticised him for acting too late.

    Similarattack, condemn, censure, fault

    Oppositepraise, commend, applaud

    Note

    The -ise spelling is the more common one in British writing; criticize, with a z, is just as correct in Britain, is what Oxford spelling prefers, and is the usual American form.

  2. 2
    assessverbtransitive or intransitive
    To judge the worth of something by weighing up its strengths and weaknesses.

    Each artist was asked to criticise the others' paintings, discussing their merits as well as their faults.

    In their final year, students are expected to criticise a novel in depth, weighing what the author achieves against where the book falls short.

    UsageMost readers hear fault-finding, so make a balanced judgement clear: criticise a work, discussing its strengths as well as its weaknesses.

    Similarevaluate, assess, appraise, critique, judge

    Note

    The neutral sense a critic works in: weighing merits as well as faults, as appraise and judge do.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of criticise apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

Formed from critic + -ise; the same word as criticize, spelt with -ize.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts