criticismcrit‧i‧cis‧m /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/ ●●○ S3 W2 noun [countable, uncountable] 
My main criticism of the scheme is that it does nothing to help families on low incomes. Despite strong criticism, the new system is still in place. There has been widespread criticism of the decision. We try to give students constructive criticism. Another criticism levelled at him was that his teaching methods were old-fashioned. The government’s economic strategy has attracted a lot of criticism. You must learn to accept criticism. Many employees find it hard to take even mild criticism. His actions provoked severe criticism from civil rights groups. the storm of criticism that followed his announcement2writing which expresses judgments about the good or bad qualities of books, films, music etc: literary criticismCOLLOCATIONSadjectivesstrong/severe/heavy criticism· This decision attracted heavy criticism from environmental groups.fierce/bitter/harsh/sharp criticism (=involving angry feelings)· The prison system has been the object of fierce criticism.public criticism· As a politician, you have to get used to public criticism.constructive criticism (=aimed at improving something or someone in a helpful way)· Praise and constructive criticism are both very useful.widespread criticism· There was widespread criticism of his speech.growing/mounting criticism· The government was faced with mounting criticism at home and abroad.outspoken criticism (=said very openly and directly)· I was surprised by his outspoken criticism of the system.implied criticism (=suggested indirectly, rather than said openly)· She sensed the implied criticism in his remarks.verbsdraw/attract/provoke criticism (=be criticized)· The plan has drawn criticism from some groups.come under criticism/come in for criticism (=be criticized)· The deal came under fierce criticism from other American airlines.meet (with) criticism (=be criticized)· His theory met with harsh criticism from colleagues.face criticism· He has often faced criticism in the local press.accept/take criticism (=allow it and learn from it)· Very few people know how to accept criticism.level criticism at somebody/something (=aim it at someone or something)· A great deal of criticism was levelled at the company.single somebody out for criticism (=to criticize one person, organization etc specifically)· The goalkeeper was singled out for criticism.phrasesbe the subject of criticism/be subjected to criticism (=be criticized by people)· The club has been the subject of criticism since last October.be open to criticism (=be willing or able to accept it)· Management have decided this and I don't think they're open to criticism.be sensitive to criticism (=to react to criticism, often in a bad way)· He was highly sensitive to criticism in the press.a storm/barrage of criticism (=a lot of criticism)· His comments provoked a barrage of criticism.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Bill's very sensitive to any kind of criticism.
- Graham's criticisms have no basis in fact.
- Taylor has come in for a lot of criticism for his part in the affair.
- The government faces severe criticism for its slow response to the disaster.
- The report makes many criticisms of the nation's prison system.
- But these are minor criticisms for a job well done.
- However, in adult life, Ian finds he can not take criticism.
- I have found criticism to be a deeply enriching, but not always comfortable exploration of the text of Scripture.
- In a sense, the very institution of literary criticism is concrete testimony of this assumption.
- Later he responded in a similar way to D. H. Lawrence's criticism, as well as to his creative achievement.
- The 7,000 delegates were handpicked for loyalty, and did not utter a word of criticism.
- The union settled, in the face of the Government's public criticisms, for a fifteen percent pay rise.
Longman Language Activatorsomething you say or write in order to criticize
what you say or write when you criticize someone or something: · Bill's very sensitive to any kind of criticism.criticism of: · The report makes many criticisms of the nation's prison system.severe/strong criticism: · The government faces severe criticism for its slow response to the disaster.come in for criticism (=be criticized): · Taylor has come in for a lot of criticism for his part in the affair.
a statement that criticizes someone publicly, especially in politics or business: attack on: · O'Brien promised to continue his attacks on the film industry.come under attack from somebody (=be criticized by someone): · Once again the oil companies have come under attack from environmentalists.launch an attack on somebody/something: · France launched a bitter attack on EU proposals to reduce farm subsidies.
unfair criticism that reduces the good opinion that people have about someone: · Your accusation of bribe-taking is a slur which I shall never forgive.
spoken informal something that someone says to someone, especially when other people are there, that criticizes them and makes them feel stupid or unimportant: · She was a master of the sarcastic put-down.· I didn't mean it as a put-down but I could tell from her response that she took my criticism personally.
to be criticized · The unions came in for strong criticism from the government after the strike.· Caro came in for a lot of criticism for his biography of the late president.
to be severely criticized, especially in public: · Banks are under attack for their refusal to reduce interest rates on loans to small businesses.come under attack/fire: · His theories came under attack from other scientists.· The police department has come under fire for the recent rise in violent crime.
informal to be criticized a lot for something: · Ferguson's been getting a lot of flak for the team's poor performance recently.· The immigration department is taking a lot of political flak for not moving faster to help the refugees.
if someone or something is open to criticism , there are good reasons for criticizing them: · The general is open to criticism for his handling of the war.· Current reforms in the legal system may be open to criticism if they appear to be undemocratic.
British /be on the firing line American to be the person who is most likely to be criticized for something, even if you are not the only person who is responsible for it: · As head of the police department, Hall is constantly on the firing line.· When you're in the firing line, it's tempting to avoid making difficult decisions.
an organization, person in authority etc that is criticized, especially by a lot of people: target of: · Kay was the target of a noisy demonstration in which 54 people were arrested.target for: · The Communist Party has become the main target for critical attack among left-wing intellectuals.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives We welcome any constructive criticism. He was determined to counter the bribery allegations. The committee is seeking to deflect criticism by blaming me. The government’s policies came under fierce attack. His theory met with harsh criticism from colleagues. the harsh measures taken against the protesters Her words contained an implicit threat. Her questions were well-formulated and incisive. literary criticism (=the study of the methods used in writing literature) The government has come under mounting criticism in the press. The magazine’s editor is open to criticism in allowing the article to be printed. Despite vehement opposition, the Act became law. There was widespread support for the war. The storm caused widespread damage.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· This decision attracted heavy criticism from environmental groups.
(=involving angry feelings)· The prison system has been the object of fierce criticism.
· As a politician, you have to get used to public criticism.
(=aimed at improving something or someone in a helpful way)· Praise and constructive criticism are both very useful.
· There was widespread criticism of his speech.
· The government was faced with mounting criticism at home and abroad.
(=said very openly and directly)· I was surprised by his outspoken criticism of the system.
(=suggested indirectly, rather than said openly)· She sensed the implied criticism in his remarks.
verbs (=be criticized)· The plan has drawn criticism from some groups.
(=be criticized)· The deal came under fierce criticism from other American airlines.
(=be criticized)· His theory met with harsh criticism from colleagues.
· He has often faced criticism in the local press.
(=allow it and learn from it)· Very few people know how to accept criticism.
(=aim it at someone or something)· A great deal of criticism was levelled at the company.
(=to criticize one person, organization etc specifically)· The goalkeeper was singled out for criticism.
phrases (=be criticized by people)· The club has been the subject of criticism since last October.
(=be willing or able to accept it)· Management have decided this and I don't think they're open to criticism.
(=to react to criticism, often in a bad way)· He was highly sensitive to criticism in the press.
(=a lot of criticism)· His comments provoked a barrage of criticism.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES We welcome any constructive criticism. He was determined to counter the bribery allegations. The committee is seeking to deflect criticism by blaming me.· He dismissed criticism of the country's human rights record.
(=say or do something that may make people laugh at you, criticize you etc)
The government’s policies came under fierce attack. His theory met with harsh criticism from colleagues. the harsh measures taken against the protesters Her words contained an implicit threat. Her questions were well-formulated and incisive. literary criticism (=the study of the methods used in writing literature) The government has come under mounting criticism in the press. The magazine’s editor is open to criticism in allowing the article to be printed.· The introduction of the tax provoked widespread criticism.
· A storm of criticism forced the government to withdraw the proposal.
· If the criticism is valid, you should make the appropriate changes.
Despite vehement opposition, the Act became law. There was widespread support for the war. The storm caused widespread damage.· To express constructive criticism and voice well researched concerns is of course healthy and legitimate.· I hope Dee takes it as constructive criticism.· Once the purely factual purpose of the system becomes assimilated, resistance to, and fear of, constructive criticism should weaken.· Clearly, though, the best way to improve your presentation skills is through practice and constructive criticism, hardly new concepts.· It's no use being offended by constructive criticisms.· Mr Kinnock will want Mr Prescott's national executive support - and may sometimes even need his constructive criticism.· Never a word of constructive criticism.· Serving officers who attempt constructive criticism of the police, risk being labelled traitors and put their promotion prospects in jeopardy.
· Mr Powell, 44, came in for fierce criticism when he replaced Terry Wogan with the £10 million drama.
· A harsh criticism, perhaps, since Laura was no longer running the factories on a daily basis.· She too endured harsh criticism and partisan pressure for becoming openly involved in public affairs.· That is a harsh criticism since the Employment Secretary is a woman.· It is odd that these harsh criticisms were issued before the guidelines were completed and publicly declared.· Britta had anticipated harsh design criticism but the fashion buyers and the press are pleasantly surprised.· Timmy says much the same thing but with less diplomacy, writing that harsh criticism and negativity are pulling the team apart.· In fact, the bigger the wins, the harsher the criticism is likely to be.· He knew that most people respond better to encouragement than to harsh criticism.
· The literature of opera includes plenty of criticism, much of it as intellectually impressive as the best literary criticism.· In literary criticism, the idea of the postmodern has scarcely taken hold at all.· Not only sociology and cultural anthropology but even a field like literary criticism increasingly becomes infested with the jargon of empirical addiction.· In all about fifty articles could be classed as literary criticism.· This is literary criticism as we have since come to know it.· Yet, literary criticism, past as well as present, desires a fixed text.· Traditionally, literary criticism has paid little attention to questions of precise historical contextualisation.
· The main criticism seems to be that he wanted to change things, forms of service and such like.· Its main weapon was criticism, organized daily through compulsory debates in every workplace.· Find at least three main areas of criticism of your performance on the job.· Its main criticism is that they do not take into account the effects of the war on the region's ecosystem.· The main criticism of the argument from analogy is that these two assumptions are inconsistent.· The main criticism was lack of richness: a Christmas pudding is only as good as its ingredients and any skimping is clearly apparent.· Within this paradigm, the two main criticisms levelled at mainstream Hollywood films are tokenism and homophobia.· The main criticism is that the papacy should not be concerned with temporal matters at all.
· One major criticism of the air quality management strategy relates to its use of air quality standards.· Lévi-Strauss therefore makes three major criticisms of Sartre's concept of history.· The two major criticisms aimed at Farc are that it recruits children and that it carries out acts of random violence.· The major criticism of this approach is that it assumes that all information about the organisation is kept in documents.· Results show that lack of product knowledge by staff was a major criticism.· One major criticism of many of the major schemes is that they do not subdivide subjects according to consistent characteristics.· The community charge or poll tax is open to two major criticisms.· The ethogenic approach is open to two major criticisms.
· The validity of the promise may be accepted: the insufficiency of the performance is open to criticism.· Note that this method is open to the criticisms made of statistical methods above.· In a very real sense the concept of a Commissioner is open to criticism.· Like anyone else who writes, she is open to criticism.· Instead, once again, he has left himself open to more criticism.· Where the courts were open to criticism was in that they were prejudiced - in favour of Athens and in favour of democracy.· Both these enterprises are open to criticism on three fronts.· These very norms, rules and standards are themselves open to rational criticism.
· For the bureaucracy itself, Marx noted how a Bonapartist regime virtually eliminated the risk of public scrutiny and criticism.· Second, a principal consideration in responding to public criticism is profit and loss.· The union settled, in the face of the Government's public criticisms, for a fifteen percent pay rise.· As the public criticism mounted, Johnson fought back with predictions that victory was just around the corner.· These provided a forum and focus for public criticism of officialdom.· He accompanied his resignation with biting public criticisms of the dictatorial style of the Prime Minister.· Within days, in the face of public criticism, this had been cut back to £ 1.2m.
· Light satire of people's habits contrasts sharply with the severe social criticism with which the text is larded.· This encouraged providers to cream off the easiest to serve, and led to severe criticism.· Despite severe criticism, the newspaper conducted a poll in 1980 into the paranormal beliefs and experiences of its readers.· Another difficulty is that the various methods of measuring the lag are subject to severe criticisms.· The most severe criticism was that wind pressure on the huge rotors could capsize the ship.· Bush came in for severe criticism, first for encouraging the coup, then for failing to support it.· By the early 1980s the Commission had been coming under increasingly severe criticism from conservationists and others.· At first glance it was much like the original, but the most severe criticisms of the original were successfully addressed.
· Hart has attracted some sharp criticism, especially from Otago and southern parts of the South Island.· That measure drew sharp criticism from Gov.· The sharpest criticism levelled was that the collection amounted to little more than a reshuffling.· But while Mr Mitterrand won praise and respect abroad, he often drew sharp criticism at home, especially from conservative commentators.
· I want to develop the stronger thesis that criticism is the essence of higher education.· Her decision drew strong criticism from environmental groups, nuclear non-proliferation activists and some members of Congress.· The failure to agree on definite targets brought strong criticism from environmentalists.· I intend to file a very strong criticism of your teaching methods.· But, though they have never been overruled, they have attracted strong adverse criticism.· A stronger criticism of the use of objectives can be made on ethical grounds.· Bernstein's work has come in for some strong criticism recently.· Some of them have been getting strong criticism lately.
· Accepting criticism Accepting valid criticism is also part of this group of assertive actions.· But neither do we have to be defensive if they occasionally have a valid criticism.· Its tone is playful and frivolous but it makes some valid criticisms.· There are, however, a number of valid criticisms which can be made of the study.
· In response to widespread criticism, Kadhafi strongly attacked corruption and favouritism in the government administration.· Her allegations have touched off widespread criticism of Albert Hale in the Navajo Nation.· This follows widespread criticism of the Bush Administration's scepticism at international conferences so far.· Nevertheless, there was widespread criticism that the relief operation was slow and badly organized.· The death sentences attracted widespread international criticism, and several government leaders made appeals for clemency.· Despite widespread criticism, the trend is on the increase in the Five Nations Championship.· There was widespread criticism of the handling of the disaster.
NOUN· As art criticism, it has the merit of making a judgement, though description and interpretation may be meagre.· After the first two chapters, it discusses where and how to read art criticism.· The guards on the frontiers between art history and art criticism shoot neither intruders nor escapers.· Finally it is safe to predict that in any catalogue there will be more information than art criticism.· The library user who looks for books of art criticism is not necessarily going to have an easy task.· Sontag's attack on interpretation was two-pronged and aimed at both works of art and art criticism.· Nor will a history of art criticism be attempted.· To put the matter in a slightly different way, reading art criticism is a preparation for an aesthetic event.
· The response to mounting criticism is to reorganise or complain of lack of resources.· The government's response to mounting criticism was to crack down on the principal advocates of reform.
VERB· Rowbotham accepts without criticism Horney's reduction of the unconscious to basic needs, which presupposes a psychological subject of those needs.· Nor do I accept the criticism of those who say this is a lightweight view of the divine purpose of humankind.· Government seems to have accepted that criticism.· Mr Howie does not, but seems to have accepted that the criticism has ruined his board's plans.· When you accept criticism from some one you also build a relationship with that other person.· But equally they have to be in a position to justify openly what they do and to accept constructive criticism.· Very few people know how to accept criticism.
· Natural justice requires that a firm should have an opportunity to answer any criticism before a decision is made.· The meeting was called to answer criticisms and make mid-course corrections.· The organiser can't be traced to answer the criticisms.· The programme then conducted an experiment to answer these criticisms.
· To be fair we have also been offered the chance of revising articles which attracted substantial justifiable criticism.· Both policies attracted sharp Republican criticism.· Tories are also conscious that the image of Unionism is such that any agreement would attract inevitable criticism from opposition parties.· Hart has attracted some sharp criticism, especially from Otago and southern parts of the South Island.· For instance, the use of purveyance began to attract criticism in the last fifteen years of the reign.· The death sentences attracted widespread international criticism, and several government leaders made appeals for clemency.· But, though they have never been overruled, they have attracted strong adverse criticism.· This would attract even more criticism.
· They could not avoid criticism but they could usually ignore it.· Children may improve their behaviour to avoid disapproval, criticism or the loss of privileges.· What I think is more debatable is how successfully the method can in practice avoid the following criticisms.· This is to avoid the type of criticism which may have repercussions on the team member's status or salary.· I think we as writers should respect and be grateful for the efforts of our peers to avoid destructive or insensitive criticism.· By controlling me they believed that they were avoiding my criticism of them as parents.
· By the early 1980s the Commission had been coming under increasingly severe criticism from conservationists and others.· Bush came in for severe criticism, first for encouraging the coup, then for failing to support it.· Mr Gonzalez has also come in for criticism from within his own party.· In recent years, the field has come under criticism for moving ahead too quickly, jeopardizing patients.· The Sinclair Spectrum came in for particular criticism.· The run defense also came under criticism after the Broncos rushed for 152 yards, averaging 6. 1 a carry.· The Court of Appeal has struggled to reconcile the two decisions but has come in for criticism.· While his foreign policy was winning praise abroad, Gorbachev was coming under growing criticism at home.
· The Central Authority were, however, able to continue to deflect this criticism.· While helping Johnson to deflect criticism from conservatives, Hoover expanded the mission of his agency in the domestic arena.· He frequently attempted to deflect criticism of his administration and personal life by characterizing such allegations as the product of white racism.· The newly appointed finance minister, Wataru Kubo, is expected to deflect opposition criticism over the housing lender bailout.
· If Tebbit wished to attack bias as such he should have directed his criticism at the press rather than television.
· O'Leary was elected chairman and he immediately drew criticism on the committee.· That measure drew sharp criticism from Gov.· The influential role played by President Francesco Cossiga in events leading to Andreotti's resignation drew criticism from some political quarters.· But while Mr Mitterrand won praise and respect abroad, he often drew sharp criticism at home, especially from conservative commentators.· A parallel is drawn with criticism of a company's accounts by the Financial Reporting Review Panel.· The urban renewal administrative process drew considerable criticism because it was so long and encumbered with red tape.· Greenpeace has in the past campaigned against the Faroese whale hunt, drawing vehement criticism from the islanders.
· When the bid was launched last week, Mr Franklin faced some criticism from City commentators on both those counts.· But the company has in the past faced criticism.· Mr Hague faced criticism of his promise last October to cut taxes even if the economy entered a recession.· But Yeltsin faced new criticism from his political rivals.· The Poor Law was facing criticism from a range of sources.· The government had also faced criticism over its slowness in implementing economic reforms.· Although homosexuality is no longer against the law, homosexuals still face a good deal of criticism and stigma.· It is apparent that the proposed code faces detailed criticism, and the effect of non-compliance on company results is unquantifiable.
· The review follows persistent criticism that the Press Council is an ineffective body which commands little respect.· Vice Chairman Christopher Steffen quit unexpectedly in December following long-running criticism of his performance.· The move follows criticism by leading local government officials and academics.· This follows widespread criticism of the Bush Administration's scepticism at international conferences so far.· This new problem calls for the invention of new hypotheses, followed by renewed criticism and testing.· They depend on volunteers and have a high turnover following any criticism of their activities or decisions.· However, even these success stories put forward by some participants were quickly followed by specific criticisms from other participants.· The Government has announced a sweeping review of the centuries-old coroners' system following Lord Clarke's criticisms.
· There was also increasing criticism of de Gaulle's policies.· Other candidates also have increased their criticism of Forbes in recent weeks.· Nevertheless, Kasparov is coming under increasing criticism from his supporters for his stubborn adherence to the Grunfeld Defence.· At this time, however, the Jacksonians were suffering increasing criticism for their inability to end the war.· The United States administration meanwhile came under increasing congressional criticism for its failure to take a position on the situation in Zaïre.· To blunt the increasing criticism of the new rates, the four council members quickly abandoned their support for the lift charges.· In recent years, there has been increasing criticism of the view that professionals provide valuable services to society.· By the late 1980s, however, the system came under increasing criticism from domestic and foreign-owned exporters.
· Even Mrs Thatcher levelled criticism at the lack of compartment privacy, but the policy against compartments was now firmly established.· Conservationists have levelled a series of criticisms at the basic ground rules of these cost-benefit studies.
· For its part, Golkar met criticism of its ineffectual performance in national politics by adopting a more assertive image.· In order to meet some of these criticisms penalties and targets were abolished in 1986.· Great achievements require confidence and always meet with criticism, often with derision.
· The proposal provoked a storm of criticism that it was racist from immigration groups and campaigners on behalf of ethnic minorities.· That action provoked heavy criticism and deep divisions within the cancer community.· The announcement provoked a storm of criticism and anxious residents voiced concern over their uncertain future.· As it was Britain's shift to protectionism and Imperial Preference provoked much criticism from Washington.
· Yet the Franks have received criticism for including a lot of songs dedicated fans will already own.· But Larson, a four-star admiral, also will receive criticism.· The basic neoclassical approach to demand has received substantial criticism even within the economics profession.· Gerald Ratner received much criticism and there were calls for his resignation at the company's agm.· In this environment it is perhaps surprising that the early factories should have received such hostile criticism.· This objectification and fragmentation received criticism at the time.
· He was responding to criticism by Cleveland County Council's Labour group.· Second, a principal consideration in responding to public criticism is profit and loss.· Not surprisingly, companies respond to its criticisms.· All councils will have to respond in public to criticism from auditors.· The papacy did not respond well to this criticism of Hadrian, and Leo retaliated sharply in 798.· I hope that the Minister of State will respond positively to my criticisms.· How do you respond to criticism or instructions?
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- The motives were above reproach since a large sum was raised for deserving charities every year.
- You must be above suspicion of any impropriety.
- Avon and Somerset Police have summonsed Redknapp to appear in court to answer charges of alleged abusive conduct.
- His finance minister was busy answering charges of bribery.
- In particular non-disclosure makes it difficult to answer charges that the government's policies are not properly coordinated.
- The meeting was called to answer criticisms and make mid-course corrections.
- Bates also launched a blistering attack on the sports minister Kate Hoey.
- The most humiliating thing for Mr Major was not the fact that it was Mr Lamont who made the blistering attack.
- The religious press in the first decade of pentecostal history teems with blistering attacks on the new movement.
- Thompson came in for sharp criticism from women's groups.
- Mr Gonzalez has also come in for criticism from within his own party.
- NTOs have come in for criticism for failing to make significant strides in plugging the skills gap.
- The Belfry came in for criticism with some newspapers saying it was no place to stage a match of this importance.
- The Court of Appeal has struggled to reconcile the two decisions but has come in for criticism.
- The patient's colour, face and body features as well as pulse and tongue will also come in for scrutiny.
- Oliver Stone, operating under a hail of criticism, was finishing a revisionist movie about the Kennedy assassination.
- Even Mrs Thatcher levelled criticism at the lack of compartment privacy, but the policy against compartments was now firmly established.
- A 1977 Supreme Court ruling permits police stopping a car for valid reasons to order drivers to exit.
- A second and equally valid argument is that the publishing world is an invaluable source of knowledge.
- Accepting criticism Accepting valid criticism is also part of this group of assertive actions.
- But a complete justification of authority has to do more than to provide valid reasons for its acceptance.
- But neither do we have to be defensive if they occasionally have a valid criticism.
- But there are also valid reasons for optimism.
- No serious thinker can make a valid argument that to discriminate based on species is acceptable.
- Povert drudgery and loneliness are valid reasons for sadness; beyond and beneath, far outreaching them all, is unrequited love.
WORD FAMILYnouncriticcriticismadjectivecritical ≠ uncriticalverbcriticizeadverbcritically ≠ uncritically
1remarks that say what you think is bad about someone or something OPP praisecriticism of My main criticism of the scheme is that it does nothing to help families on low incomes. Despite strong criticism, the new system is still in place. There has been widespread criticism of the decision. We try to give students constructive criticism. Another criticism levelled at him was that his teaching methods were old-fashioned. The government’s economic strategy has attracted a lot of criticism. You must learn to accept criticism. Many employees find it hard to take even mild criticism. His actions provoked severe criticism from civil rights groups. the storm of criticism that followed his announcement2writing which expresses judgments about the good or bad qualities of books, films, music etc: literary criticismCOLLOCATIONSadjectivesstrong/severe/heavy criticism· This decision attracted heavy criticism from environmental groups.fierce/bitter/harsh/sharp criticism (=involving angry feelings)· The prison system has been the object of fierce criticism.public criticism· As a politician, you have to get used to public criticism.constructive criticism (=aimed at improving something or someone in a helpful way)· Praise and constructive criticism are both very useful.widespread criticism· There was widespread criticism of his speech.growing/mounting criticism· The government was faced with mounting criticism at home and abroad.outspoken criticism (=said very openly and directly)· I was surprised by his outspoken criticism of the system.implied criticism (=suggested indirectly, rather than said openly)· She sensed the implied criticism in his remarks.verbsdraw/attract/provoke criticism (=be criticized)· The plan has drawn criticism from some groups.come under criticism/come in for criticism (=be criticized)· The deal came under fierce criticism from other American airlines.meet (with) criticism (=be criticized)· His theory met with harsh criticism from colleagues.face criticism· He has often faced criticism in the local press.accept/take criticism (=allow it and learn from it)· Very few people know how to accept criticism.level criticism at somebody/something (=aim it at someone or something)· A great deal of criticism was levelled at the company.single somebody out for criticism (=to criticize one person, organization etc specifically)· The goalkeeper was singled out for criticism.phrasesbe the subject of criticism/be subjected to criticism (=be criticized by people)· The club has been the subject of criticism since last October.be open to criticism (=be willing or able to accept it)· Management have decided this and I don't think they're open to criticism.be sensitive to criticism (=to react to criticism, often in a bad way)· He was highly sensitive to criticism in the press.a storm/barrage of criticism (=a lot of criticism)· His comments provoked a barrage of criticism.