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
Other detractors have included Juliette Binoche, Andrea Bocelli and Doja Cat — though Doja Cat later retracted her comments and admitted to using the controversy to get attention.
—
Selome Hailu, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
Laporta’s detractors point to his record of promises that didn't pan out.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Despite his detractors in Colorado, Rae has many supporters there, too.
—Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
Tesla, which has its die-hard fans and detractors — with founder Elon Musk the particular magnet for like or dislike — will fill the long-shuttered Toys R Us building that has been vacant since June 2018.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
In fact, at this point, there are probably more detractors than fans.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 10 Mar. 2026
Most Americans were unfamiliar with Kirk, but his supporters and detractors had strong opinions.
—Karen J. Leader, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Gu found respite from her detractors along Second and Market streets.
—Noah Furtado, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 Mar. 2026
The legislation elicited passionate debate from both its supporters and detractors.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 5 Mar. 2026
Selome Hailu, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
Laporta’s detractors point to his record of promises that didn't pan out.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Despite his detractors in Colorado, Rae has many supporters there, too.
—Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
Tesla, which has its die-hard fans and detractors — with founder Elon Musk the particular magnet for like or dislike — will fill the long-shuttered Toys R Us building that has been vacant since June 2018.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
In fact, at this point, there are probably more detractors than fans.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 10 Mar. 2026
Most Americans were unfamiliar with Kirk, but his supporters and detractors had strong opinions.
—Karen J. Leader, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Gu found respite from her detractors along Second and Market streets.
—Noah Furtado, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 Mar. 2026
The legislation elicited passionate debate from both its supporters and detractors.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detractor
Noun
-
Stick with us throughout the night and come back Monday morning for a dispatch from Schulman, plus analysis from Brody and his fellow movie critic Justin Chang.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Some critics have pointed toward potential issues in the event of rain, humidity, sand or fog.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 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 20 Mar. 2026.
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