as in criticism
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Recent Examples of thumbs-down
The Department of Justice and the Treasury subjected the question of whether the change could be made without congressional action to their gimlet-eyed scrutiny, and turned thumbs-down.
—
Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
For opponents, that can feel like the tennis equivalent of a thumbs-down from a Roman emperor.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Google is also asking users to give feedback about personalization via the thumbs-down button.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
However, users can mark any ad with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to help manage their ads preferences.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
Drivers honked their horns in support, while supporters gave thumbs-down reactions to those frequenting the coffee chain.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 23 Nov. 2025
When asked who is the better cook, the pair hilariously reacted by both making faces and giving thumbs-down signs.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
The evening prior, a clip of Justin Bieber in full Jays gear went viral after the Swag singer was seen responding to one of Shohei Ohtani‘s home runs with a thumbs-down.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025
These sites cut against the stereotypical image of a critic as an expert dispensing a thumbs-up or thumbs-down like a Roman emperor.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
For opponents, that can feel like the tennis equivalent of a thumbs-down from a Roman emperor.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Google is also asking users to give feedback about personalization via the thumbs-down button.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
However, users can mark any ad with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to help manage their ads preferences.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
Drivers honked their horns in support, while supporters gave thumbs-down reactions to those frequenting the coffee chain.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 23 Nov. 2025
When asked who is the better cook, the pair hilariously reacted by both making faces and giving thumbs-down signs.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
The evening prior, a clip of Justin Bieber in full Jays gear went viral after the Swag singer was seen responding to one of Shohei Ohtani‘s home runs with a thumbs-down.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025
These sites cut against the stereotypical image of a critic as an expert dispensing a thumbs-up or thumbs-down like a Roman emperor.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbs-down
Noun
-
Descovich dismisses the criticism.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Wise's role at the Justice Department drew criticism from congressional Democrats.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Other users are sharing their distaste.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Some of the Kennedys and others featured on the show have been vocal about their distaste for Love Story.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The President is distrusted on the economy and has, per Fox News, a disapproval rating of an astonishing fifty-nine per cent.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
China is Pyongyang’s biggest trading partner and major ally, but Beijing has expressed disapproval over the years at North Korea’s test-launches of missiles that could be used to target South Korea and the United States.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Reporting on this new policy prompted public condemnation as well as a letter of inquiry from senior House Republicans.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The bill drew swift condemnation from rights groups and Muslim-majority countries including Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.—
Gonzalo Zegarra,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While not issuing a quick rejection, key conservative justices seemed skeptical of the administration’s arguments for its legality.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The legal costs that could be incurred by these private schools would be devastating, with claims motivated more by rejection of beliefs than actual injury.—
Stephen Mitchell,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After the Easter break, her case could be heard by the full Committee on Ethics, which has an array of options ranging from a public censure to expulsion.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In April, the committee will recommend a punishment to be voted on by the full House, something that could range from a censure, removal from committees, or expulsion itself.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ghio’s testimony in support of a controversial homeschool oversight bill at a public hearing two weeks ago turned a routine confirmation debate into a brief, if heated, defense of homeschoolers and denunciation of Ghio.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
-
This fit neatly into a wider culture of denunciation that took hold after 2022.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thumbs-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbs-down. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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