as in critic
a person who criticizes something or someone
Despite his popularity, his many detractors still think his work is overrated. Even her detractors had to admit that she had made the company successful.
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Recent Examples of detractor
Zeleznikar has heard from detractors that point to how Minnesota was just awarded host rights for the NFL draft in 2028.
—
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 10 June 2026
The Knicks tuned out their fans and detractors alike.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 June 2026
Media and fandom fueled the trial’s chaotic atmosphere Given Jackson’s stardom, news and tabloid media swarmed the scene of the trial along with droves of dedicated fans (and a much smaller contingent of detractors).
—Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026
Yet these developments were not without detractors.
—The Conversation, 4 June 2026
The story of Michael Jackson has changed hands repeatedly, from his devotees to his detractors and back again.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 3 June 2026
That’s not to say there haven’t been detractors to Leo’s approach.
—Krysta Fauria, Fortune, 2 June 2026
Being ahead of the times doesn’t come without its detractors.
—Jeff Ihaza, VIBE.com, 2 June 2026
Blasphemy, the detractors—many of whom are Black, and male—are claiming.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 10 June 2026
The Knicks tuned out their fans and detractors alike.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 June 2026
Media and fandom fueled the trial’s chaotic atmosphere Given Jackson’s stardom, news and tabloid media swarmed the scene of the trial along with droves of dedicated fans (and a much smaller contingent of detractors).
—Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026
Yet these developments were not without detractors.
—The Conversation, 4 June 2026
The story of Michael Jackson has changed hands repeatedly, from his devotees to his detractors and back again.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 3 June 2026
That’s not to say there haven’t been detractors to Leo’s approach.
—Krysta Fauria, Fortune, 2 June 2026
Being ahead of the times doesn’t come without its detractors.
—Jeff Ihaza, VIBE.com, 2 June 2026
Blasphemy, the detractors—many of whom are Black, and male—are claiming.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detractor
Noun
-
The evening faceoff − titled UFC Freedom 250 − has been much anticipated by conservatives and panned by Democratic critics.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
-
Trump’s rejections cast a long shadow — not just over Illinois but over the entire federal disaster-response system — which critics say the president has bent to serve political ends.—
Daniel C. Vock,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
In turn, the criticizer is made out to be overreacting.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detractor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detractor. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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