Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - criticize

 verb  (-cized; -cizing)  Date: 1643  intransitive verb to act as a critic  transitive verb  1. to consider the merits and demerits of and judge accordingly ; evaluate  2. to find fault with ; point out the faults of  • criticizable adjective  • ~r noun Synonyms:  ~, reprehend, censure, reprobate, condemn, denounce mean to find fault with openly. ~ implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions ~d the police for using violence. reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students. censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding a Senator formally censured by his peers. reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle. condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment condemned the government's racial policies. denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration a pastoral letter denouncing abortion.