criticise
gb/kɹˈɪtɪsˌaɪz/ us/kɹˈɪtɪsˌaɪz/
B1
English
kritizál, kifogásol, bírál, kritikát ír, építő kritikát ad, kritikusan vizsgál, kritikai elemzésnek vet alá
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
criticise [someone/something] (for [something/doing something])
The report was criticised for ignoring the impact on low-income families.
A jelentést azért kritizálták, mert figyelmen kívül hagyta az alacsony jövedelmű családokra gyakorolt hatást.
She criticised him for arriving late again.
Kritizálta őt, amiért megint késve érkezett.
Opposition leaders criticised the government’s handling of the crisis.
Learner examples
My teacher criticised my essay.
A tanárom kritizálta az esszémet.
People criticised the new rule.
Sokan kritizálták az új szabályt.
Common mistake:
Do not use *criticise about*; say *criticise something* or *criticise someone for something*. Also note spelling: BrE *criticise*, AmE *criticize*.
Meaning
say something is bad or wrong
Collocations
criticise someone
|criticise something
|criticise a decision
|criticise a policy
|criticise a plan
|criticise a report
|strongly criticise
|publicly criticise
|sharply criticise
|criticise openly
Synonyms
criticize (American spelling; same meaning.)
|
complain about (Often focuses on expressing dissatisfaction rather than judging faults.)
|
condemn (Much stronger; implies moral disapproval.)
Antonyms
praise (Say that something is good.)
|
approve of (Express agreement or support.)
Themes
communication
|opinions
|society
Definition
To say you do not like something, or you think it is wrong.
To say that you disapprove of someone or something, or that you think it is bad, wrong, or not good enough.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
criticise [something]
Reviewers criticised the app’s confusing layout.
A véleményezők bírálták az alkalmazás zavaros elrendezését.
It’s easy to criticise, but harder to suggest a better solution.
Kritizálni könnyű, de nehezebb jobb megoldást javasolni.
He criticised her approach as too risky.
Learner examples
They criticised the food.
Kritizálták az ételt.
She criticised the plan.
Bírálta a tervet.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse *criticise* (point out faults) with *critique* (a noun or more formal verb in academic/art contexts).
Meaning
point out faults in detail
Collocations
criticise an argument
|criticise a method
|criticise the way something is done
|criticise the design
|criticise the quality
|criticise the service
|heavily criticised
|widely criticised
|rightly criticised
|unfairly criticised
Synonyms
find fault with (More informal and often suggests being hard to please.)
|
pick apart (Informal; suggests attacking many small details.)
|
attack (Stronger and more hostile than ordinary criticism.)
Antonyms
commend (Formally express approval.)
|
endorse (Publicly support or approve of.)
Themes
communication
|education
|work
Definition
To say what is wrong with something.
To point out the faults or weaknesses of something, often in a detailed way.
VERB
B2
3
bírál
B2
kritikát ír
B1
Usage pattern:
criticise [a book/film/performance/work]
Several newspapers criticised the film for its weak script.
Több újság a gyenge forgatókönyve miatt bírálta a filmet.
The play was criticised by some critics as too long.
Egyes kritikusok túl hosszúnak bírálták a darabot.
She criticised the album’s production but liked the lyrics.
Learner examples
He criticised the movie.
Kritizálta a filmet.
They criticised her book.
Bírálta a könyvét.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse the verb *criticise* with the noun *critic* (a person who reviews art).
Meaning
judge books, films, or art
Collocations
criticise a film
|criticise a novel
|criticise a performance
|criticise a painting
|criticise a production
|critically criticised
|criticise the acting
|criticise the script
|criticise the direction
|criticise the soundtrack
Synonyms
review (Neutral term for evaluating a creative work; can be positive or negative.)
|
evaluate (More formal; focuses on assessment rather than opinion.)
Antonyms
recommend (Encourage others to see/read/use something.)
|
praise (Focus on what is good rather than what is wrong.)
Themes
arts
|media
|communication
Definition
To write or speak publicly about how good a film, book, etc. is.
To judge and comment on the quality of a book, film, performance, or other creative work, especially in a public review.
VERB
B2
4
bírál
B2
Usage pattern:
criticise [someone/something] (in a constructive way)
My supervisor criticised my first draft but explained how to improve it.
A témavezetőm bírálta az első vázlatomat, de elmagyarázta, hogyan javíthatok rajta.
Try to criticise the work, not the person.
Próbálj a munkáról építő kritikát megfogalmazni, ne a személyt támadd.
The coach criticised her technique and then showed her a better way.
Learner examples
The teacher criticised my homework and helped me fix it.
A tanár építő kritikát adott a házi feladatomról, és segített kijavítani.
Common mistake:
Learners may assume *criticise* is always hostile; it can also mean giving helpful feedback, especially with words like *constructively*.
Meaning
give critical feedback to improve
Collocations
criticise constructively
|criticise someone’s work
|criticise a draft
|criticise a proposal
|criticise performance
|criticise mistakes
|criticise errors
|gently criticise
|fairly criticise
|helpfully criticise
Synonyms
give feedback (Often broader and can include positive comments too.)
|
suggest improvements (Focuses on solutions rather than faults.)
Antonyms
encourage (Focus on confidence and support rather than pointing out faults.)
|
compliment (Say something positive about someone or their work.)
Themes
work
|education
|communication
Definition
To say what could be better, to help someone improve.
To give critical comments intended to help improve someone’s work, behaviour, or performance.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
5
Usage pattern:
criticise [a theory/claim/approach] (in terms of [criteria])
In her essay, she criticised the study’s conclusions as unsupported by the data.
Esszéjében kritikusan vizsgálta a tanulmány következtetéseit, és rámutatott, hogy azokat nem támasztják alá az adatok.
The paper criticises earlier research for relying on a small sample.
A tanulmány bírálja a korábbi kutatásokat, amiért kis mintára támaszkodtak.
Students are expected to criticise sources, not just summarise them.
Learner examples
We must criticise the argument, not the person.
Az érvet kell kritikusan vizsgálnunk, nem az embert.
Common mistake:
In academic writing, *criticise* often means balanced evaluation, not just negative comments.
Meaning
analyse and assess ideas carefully
Collocations
criticise a theory
|criticise an assumption
|criticise a claim
|criticise the evidence
|criticise an approach
|criticise a model
|criticise an interpretation
|critically criticise
|criticise in detail
|criticise on methodological grounds
Synonyms
assess (More neutral; focuses on judging value/quality.)
|
analyse (Focuses on breaking something down to understand it.)
|
challenge (Emphasises questioning or disputing a point.)
Antonyms
accept (Take an idea as true or valid without challenging it.)
|
take at face value (Not examine critically; believe without checking.)
Themes
education
|thinking
|writing
Definition
To look at something carefully and judge how strong it is.
To examine ideas, claims, or evidence carefully and judge their strengths and weaknesses.
Grammar
Dictionary form
criticise
IPA
GB/kɹˈɪtɪsˌaɪz/
US/kɹˈɪtɪsˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
cri - ti - cise (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cri)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: criticise
- 3rd Person Singular: criticises
- Present Participle: criticising
- Past: criticised
Word family
Expressions
be criticised for (doing) something
1/bˈi kɹˈɪtɪsˌaɪzd fɚ dˈuɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
receive public disapproval
When people say you did something wrong.
Examples
- The company was criticised for its low wages.
- He was criticised for speaking over other people in meetings.
- The proposal has been criticised for being too expensive.
Learner examples
- The plan was criticised for costing too much.
criticise someone for (doing) something
1/kɹˈɪtɪsˌaɪz sˈʌmwˌʌn fɚ dˈuɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
blame someone for an action
To say someone did something wrong.
Examples
- She criticised him for not calling sooner.
- The manager criticised the team for missing the deadline.
- Don’t criticise her for making a mistake—help her fix it.
Learner examples
- My dad criticised me for coming home late.
criticise something as (being) + adjective/noun
1/kɹˈɪtɪsˌaɪz sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈæz bˈiɪŋ ˈɑd͡ʒˈɛktɪvnaʊn/
fixed phrase
label something as unacceptable
To say something is bad by calling it a bad name.
Examples
- The changes were criticised as unnecessary.
- Opponents criticised the plan as a waste of public money.
- The ad was criticised as sexist.
Learner examples
- People criticised the rule as unfair.
criticise something on the grounds that ...
1/kɹˈɪtɪsˌaɪz sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈɔn ðə ɡɹˈaʊndz ðˈæt |/
fixed phrase
formal
give a reason for criticism
To criticise something because of a specific reason (formal).
Examples
- The policy was criticised on the grounds that it would increase inequality.
- She criticised the research on the grounds that the sample was too small.
- The decision was criticised on the grounds that it lacked transparency.