criticism

Etymology

critic +‎ -ism

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkɹɪtɪsɪzəm/
• Hyphenation: crit‧i‧cism

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

criticism (countable and uncountable, plural criticisms)

1. The act of criticising; a critical judgment passed or expressed

   The politician received a lot of public criticism for his controversial stance on the issue.

2. a critical observation or detailed examination and review
   • 1874, Thomas Hardy, Far From the Madding Crowd, Barnes & Noble Classics (2005 publication of 1912 Wessex edition), page 276:

     Her attitude was that of a person who listens, either to the external world of sound, or to the discourse of thought. A close criticism might have detected signs proving that she was intent on the latter alternative.

   Synonyms: critique, animadversion, censure

References

• “criticism” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary, 2001–2018.
• criticism in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913

Further reading

• "criticism" in Raymond Williams, Keywords (revised), 1983, Fontana Press, page 84.