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Glite Dictionary
overcritical

overcritical

1 6.4
Too quick to find fault with other people or their work
  • adjective
  • /ˌoʊvərˈkrɪtɪkəl/
translation icon : excesivamente crítico
  • He often holds overcritical views about movies, finding fault in even the most popular films.

Examples

  • Many students feel that their teachers can be unnecessarily overcritical of their work.

  • All these seemingly unconnected thoughts lead to is, to quote my dad (and this is a rough translation from Spanish, so don't be overcritical): "You should never give more for the penis than what it's worth"...

    Blog text (22)

  • But Fred dares not be overcritical, remembering "that time on the Vineyard when Carlyle had laughed at his pipsqueak indignation" (43).

    Academic text (2001)

  • Her overcritical nature made it hard for her friends to be themselves around her.

Synonyms

judgmental
vsovercritical
  • US
99 4.6

Too quick to form harsh opinions about other people

is similar but stresses readiness to criticize rather than lack of proof
scathing
vsovercritical
19 7.7

Very strong, harsh criticism that hurts or shocks people

is about readiness to criticize rather than the sharp attacking style
hypercritical
vsovercritical
2 8.0

Too quick to find small faults and judge people or things

is the same tendency to judge too quickly and harshly
censorious
vsovercritical
  • Formal
2 9.3

Often criticizes people harshly for their actions or choices

is about being quick to criticize rather than formal condemnation
uncomplimentary
vsovercritical
1 6.8

Saying bad things about someone or something

is stronger meaning a ready severe critical attitude rather than mild disfavor

Antonyms

forgiving
64 3.1

Ready to stop feeling angry after someone hurts you

lenient
32 4.4

Not strict about rules and punishment

How Critical

overcritical
1 6.4
critical
210 3.8
tolerant
72 3.2

Surface Forms

overcritical positive

Morphology

overcritical = critical (transparent) = over + critical + over

Formed with the productive prefix 'over-' meaning 'excessively' plus the adjective 'critical', so the meaning 'too ready to criticize' is directly derivable.

Etymology

Overcritical is made of over- meaning 'too much', as in overdo, and critical from a word meaning 'to judge', like critic. So, overcritical means 'too ready to criticize' or someone who judges others too harshly.