as in criticism
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Recent Examples of thumbs-down
The essence of the review is evaluation, which of course doesn’t imply the crude simplicity of a thumbs-up or thumbs-down.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 24 July 2025
That legislation collapsed when then-Sen. John McCain famously cast a thumbs-down vote.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is determined to avoid that outcome, sticking to the schedule and pressing ahead with voting expected by the end of the week.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 26 June 2025
After some thumbs-up, thumbs-down tweaks, the images were surprisingly spot-on.
—Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 14 June 2025
Shareholders gave Zaslav a symbolic (read: non-binding) thumbs-down last week, when a majority of voters rejected his $51.9 million compensation package.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 June 2025
After the World Series and the Gold Glove, after a trade to New York, a thumbs-down to Mets fans, Báez signed with the Detroit Tigers on a six-year, $140 million deal.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Bakare then went on to gesture thumbs-up or thumbs-down.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
According to February Gallup polling, 42 percent of Americans are giving a thumbs-up to Trump’s economic stewardship while 54 percent are giving him a thumbs-down.
Approval of Trump’s handling of the economy also fell to 39 percent from 43 percent in polling released last week by Reuters/Ipsos.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 1 Mar. 2025
From thumbs-up to thumbs-downs, here’s how critics are reacting.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 24 July 2025
That legislation collapsed when then-Sen. John McCain famously cast a thumbs-down vote.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is determined to avoid that outcome, sticking to the schedule and pressing ahead with voting expected by the end of the week.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 26 June 2025
After some thumbs-up, thumbs-down tweaks, the images were surprisingly spot-on.
—Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 14 June 2025
Shareholders gave Zaslav a symbolic (read: non-binding) thumbs-down last week, when a majority of voters rejected his $51.9 million compensation package.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 June 2025
After the World Series and the Gold Glove, after a trade to New York, a thumbs-down to Mets fans, Báez signed with the Detroit Tigers on a six-year, $140 million deal.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Bakare then went on to gesture thumbs-up or thumbs-down.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
According to February Gallup polling, 42 percent of Americans are giving a thumbs-up to Trump’s economic stewardship while 54 percent are giving him a thumbs-down.
Approval of Trump’s handling of the economy also fell to 39 percent from 43 percent in polling released last week by Reuters/Ipsos.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 1 Mar. 2025
From thumbs-up to thumbs-downs, here’s how critics are reacting.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbs-down
Noun
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But some of his comments on gun violence, LGBTQ issues, race and more often drew criticism from liberals and others.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
20 Sep. 2025
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Trump has been campaigning against Kimmel for months over his criticism of him, so he is thrilled with the show's suspension.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Or the public’s general distaste for being confronted with tetchy societal issues will still prevail; doom-scrolling should be done on one’s phone at home, not out in the world among other people.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Sep. 2025
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Cornell students, alumni and other Reddit users have largely expressed their distaste for the incident.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The president's approval rating with the pollster last week was 41 percent with a 54 percent disapproval rating.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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Some even see the recent disapproval as a coordinated effort to oust Patel.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Multiple investigations found that IRS officials used political keywords to flag right-leaning groups, sparking national outrage and condemnation.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
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In 2019, when a missile and drone strike on Saudi oil facilities – widely blamed on Iran – knocked out half the kingdom’s oil output and sent crude prices skyrocketing, his administration responded with only muted condemnation.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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After multiple rejections from the auto dealership, Kim had to get creative again.—
Ernestine Siu,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
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The sting of rejection or criticism is universal.—
Susanne Biro,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That includes issuing a public censure, or a recommendation to the council that Kimbrough be censured by that body as well.—
Austin Hornbostel,
Nashville Tennessean,
19 Sep. 2025
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This California congressman joins three other Republicans in opposing Omar censure via David Lightman.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Public denunciations grow Rokita's request comes as several grassroots efforts grow to publicly shame and punish Kirk’s detractors.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
15 Sep. 2025
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Their opposition turned to bitter denunciation last week after state government was exempted from its impact.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thumbs-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbs-down. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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