critics
/ˈkrɪt.ɪk/ (bre, ipa) · [krˈɪtɪks] /ˈkrɪt̬.ɪk/ (ame, ipa) · [krˈɪtɪks] /ˈkri-tik How to pronounce critic (audio)/ (ame, mw)
critics — noun
1. people who publicly point out what they think is wrong with a person, plan, idea
people who publicly point out what they think is wrong with a person, plan, idea, or other thing.
Critics of the mayor said the new housing plan ignored renters.
critics of + person/thing
After the speech, critics on local radio called the policy unfair.
critics say/call + clause
Online critics mocked the restaurant after photos of dirty tables spread.
Even his critics admitted the singer handled the interview calmly.
- detractors
more formal and often suggests active attempts to damage someone's reputation
- opponents
broader; can disagree without publicly judging or attacking
- fault-finders
more personal and often implies they are too ready to complain
- supporters
people who defend or back the person or idea instead
- admirers
stresses approval and positive feeling rather than argument
文法句型
critics of + person/plan
critics say + clause
用法筆記
Usually followed by 'of' plus the target, or by a clause reporting what the critics said. This sense stresses open disapproval or attack, not regular reviewing work.
常見錯誤
2. people who regularly judge films, books, music, or similar work for readers, lis
people who regularly judge films, books, music, or similar work for readers, listeners, or viewers.
Several theatre critics praised the play for its quiet ending.
field word + critics
Book critics at the station discussed the prize list before breakfast.
Festival critics often see five films a day during opening week.
Even the harshest music critics noticed how carefully the album was arranged.
- reviewers
the most neutral alternative, especially for written reviews
- commentators
broader; can discuss art or media without being dedicated reviewers
- columnists
stresses a regular newspaper or magazine writing position
文法句型
film/book/music critics
critics praise/attack + work
用法筆記
Usually appears with the field being reviewed, such as film, theatre, music, or books. Unlike sense 1, these critics may praise a work as well as dislike it; the focus is their reviewing role.
常見錯誤
3. people who give argued judgments about how good, true, right, or skillful someth
people who give argued judgments about how good, true, right, or skillful something is.
Education critics questioned whether the testing system measured real progress.
field noun + critics
Critics of the report argued that its numbers were too weak to trust.
critics of + report
Foreign policy critics praised the speech's tone but challenged its evidence.
Some technology critics warned that the plan solved speed, not privacy.
- analysts
stresses close examination more than public judgment
- commentators
broader and often less evaluative than 'critics'
- evaluators
more formal and often used in technical or institutional settings
文法句型
critics of + report/system
policy/education critics
用法筆記
Common with topic labels such as education, policy, or technology. Distinguish it from sense 1 by the reasoning focus: these critics weigh evidence or technique instead of simply attacking.