critic
1 of 2noun (1)
crit·ic ˈkri-tik 
1
a
: one who engages often professionally in the analysis, evaluation, or appreciation of works of art or artistic performances
a literary critic
a film critic
a theater critic
b
: one who expresses a reasoned opinion on any matter especially involving a judgment of its value, truth, righteousness, beauty, or technique
Critics of the new law say that it will not reduce crime.
2
: one given to harsh or captious judgment
a fierce critic of immigration policies
critic
2 of 2noun (2)
1
archaic : criticism
2
archaic : critique
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- carper
- castigator
- caviler
- caviller
- censurer
- criticizer
- disparager
- faultfinder
- hypercritic
- knocker
- niggler
- nitpicker
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
borrowed from Latin criticus, borrowed from Greek kritikós, derivative of kritikós, adjective, "discerning, capable of judging," from kritós "separated, picked out" (verbal adjective of krī́nein "to separate, choose, decide, judge") + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at certain entry 1
Noun (2)
borrowed from French critique critique entry 1
First Known Use
Noun (1)
1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1b
Noun (2)
1616, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing critic
Kids Definition
critic
noun
crit·ic ˈkri-tik
1
: a person who makes or gives a judgment of the value, worth, beauty, or quality of something
a movie critic
2
: a person who finds fault or complains
critic
noun
1
as in criticizer
a person given to harsh judgments and to finding faults the president's hard-core critics are going to attack him no matter what he does Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- criticizer
- faultfinder
- nitpicker
- carper
- censurer
- knocker
- detractor
- disparager
- hypercritic
- castigator
- niggler
- caviler
- denouncer
- condemner
- caviller
- attacker
- quibbler
- ranter
- scold
- complainer
- assailant
- admonisher
- derider
- denigrator
- decrier
- reprover
- belittler
- crybaby
- pettifogger
- criticaster
- grumbler
- condemnor
- railer
- whiner
- haranguer
- griper
- crucifier
- upbraider
- reproacher
- rebuker
- grouch
- grouser
- hairsplitter
- fusser
- bellyacher
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- praiser
- commender
2
as in reviewer
a person who makes or expresses a judgment on the quality of offerings in some field of endeavor the restaurant critic said that the fries at that fast-food outlet were the worst she'd ever eaten Synonyms & Similar Words
- reviewer
- analyst
- observer
- columnist
- commentator
- pundit
- evaluator
- annotator
- appraiser
- referee
- judge