English Antonyms for Criticism and Censure Vocabulary Words – Online Quiz!

acerbity (noun) /əˈsɜr bɪ ti/
Definition: A sharp, bitter, or harsh quality of speech, tone, or behavior.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of acerbity.
Options: acidity; acrimony; asperity; sweetness
Answer: sweetness
Example sentence: "His acerbity in responding to criticism only worsened the situation."

anathematize (verb) /əˈnæθɪmətaɪz/
Definition: To curse or condemn someone or something, typically in a formal or public manner.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of anathematize.
Options: abhor; abominate; censure; bless
Answer: bless
Example sentence: "The religious leader refused to anathematize those with different beliefs."

barrage (noun) /ˈbarɑːʒ/
Definition: A sustained or continuous flow of verbal criticism, questions or accusations.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of barrage.
Options: assault; attack; battery; trickle
Answer: trickle
Example sentence: "During the debate, he endured a relentless barrage of attacks from opponents."

berate (verb) /bɪˈreɪt/
Definition: To scold or criticize someone severely, often in a harsh or abusive manner.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of berate.
Options: castigate; censure; chide; praise
Answer: praise
Example sentence: "Don't berate yourself over small mistakes."

captious (adjective) /ˈkapʃəs/
Definition: Marked by an inclination to find fault or express judgment about things in a way that is petty or unreasonable.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of captious.
Options: carping; caviling; critical; uncritical
Answer: uncritical
Example sentence: "The captious customer complained about minor imperfections in the product."

carping (adjective) /ˈkɑːpɪŋ/
Definition: Finding fault or complaining excessively, often in a petty or nagging way.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of carping.
Options: bellyaching; criticizing; griping; praising
Answer: praising
Example sentence: "The carping customer demanded constant revisions to the design."

castigate (verb) /ˈkastɪɡeɪt/
Definition: To criticize or reprimand someone severely, especially in a public or formal way.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of castigate.
Options: admonish; berate; censure; commend
Answer: commend
Example sentence: "It is important to castigate any form of discrimination within society."

caustic (adjective) /ˈkɔːstɪk/
Definition: Sharp, critical, and biting in nature, often intended to mock or hurt someone's feelings.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of caustic.
Options: acidic; harsh; acrid; soothing
Answer: soothing
Example sentence: "He had a caustic wit that spared no one from his sharp tongue."

censorious (adjective) /sɛnˈsɔːrɪəs/
Definition: Finding fault or severely criticizing, often in a moralizing or judgmental way.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of censorious.
Options: critical; judgmental; condemnatory; uncritical
Answer: uncritical
Example sentence: "Censorious relatives disapproved of their lifestyle."

censure (noun) /ˈsɛnʃə/
Definition: The act of criticizing or reprimanding someone severely, often as a formal or official rebuke.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of censure.
Options: condemn; reproach; blame; praise
Answer: praise
Example sentence: "The editorial included a scathing censure of the government's policies."

criticism (noun) /ˈkrɪt əˌsɪz əm/
Definition: Analyzing, evaluating, and expressing disapproval or negative judgment towards something or someone, often in a constructive or subjective manner.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of criticism.
Options: analysis; appraisal; assessment; praise
Answer: praise
Example sentence: "The politician faced harsh criticism for their controversial remarks."

criticize (verb) /ˈkrɪt əˌsaɪz/
Definition: To express disapproval, negative judgment, or fault-finding towards something or someone.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of criticize.
Options: attack; berate; blame; praise
Answer: praise
Example sentence: "Constructive criticism can lead to personal and professional growth."

damning (adjective) /ˈdamɪŋ/
Definition: Severely critical or damaging, especially to someone's reputation or credibility.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of damning.
Options: accusatorial; accusatory; adverse; exonerating
Answer: exonerating
Example sentence: "The journalist's exposé was a damning critique of corruption."

denigrate (verb) /ˈdɛnɪɡreɪt/
Definition: To speak or write about someone or something in a negative or critical way, often with the intention of damaging their reputation or character.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of denigrate.
Options: belittle; besmirch; defame; praise
Answer: praise
Example sentence: "Politicians often denigrate their opponents during election campaigns."

denunciation (noun) /dɪˌnʌnsɪˈeɪʃn/
Definition: The act of publicly condemning or criticizing something or someone, often in a formal or official manner.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of denunciation.
Options: accusation; censure; disapproval; praise
Answer: praise
Example sentence: "The group faced widespread denunciation for their controversial actions."

derisory (adjective) /dɪˈrʌɪs(ə)ri/
Definition: Contemptuously small, insignificant, or laughably inadequate, often to the point of being considered ridiculous or scorn-worthy.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of derisory.
Options: absurd; contemptuous; degrading; respectable
Answer: respectable
Example sentence: "Her donation was so derisory that it caused a few chuckles."

detract (verb) /dɪˈtrækt/
Definition: To diminish or reduce the value, quality, or reputation of something or someone.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of detract.
Options: decrease; derogate; devaluate; enhance
Answer: enhance
Example sentence: "Don't let criticism detract you from pursuing your dreams."

detractor (noun) /dɪˈtræk tər/
Definition: A person who actively criticizes, disparages, or speaks negatively about someone or something.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of detractor.
Options: adversary; antagonist; critic; supporter
Answer: supporter
Example sentence: "The author's work received acclaim from many, but there were still a few detractors who dismissed it as shallow."

discredit (verb) /dɪˈskrɛdɪt/
Definition: To undermine or damage the credibility or reputation of someone or something.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of discredit.
Options: dishonor; disparage; humiliate; validate
Answer: validate
Example sentence: "The competitor attempted to discredit our product through false advertising."

disparage (verb) /dɪˈspær ɪdʒ/
Definition: To belittle, criticize, or speak unfavorably about someone or something.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of disparage.
Options: belittle; criticize; degrade; praise
Answer: praise
Example sentence: "It is not appropriate to disparage someone based on their appearance."

disparaging (adjective) /dɪˈsparɪdʒɪŋ/
Definition: Expressing criticism, contempt, or a negative judgment about someone or something.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of disparaging.
Options: belittling; condescending; contemptuous; flattering
Answer: flattering
Example sentence: "The review was filled with disparaging words."

excoriate (verb) /ɪkˈskɔːrɪeɪt/
Definition: To criticize or condemn someone or something severely and often publicly.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of excoriate.
Options: berate; blast; castigate; praise
Answer: praise
Example sentence: "Parents excoriate the school administration for their handling of the bullying incident."

expurgate (verb) /ˈɛkspəɡeɪt/
Definition: To remove or censor objectionable or offensive content from a text or other work of media.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of expurgate.
Options: abridge; amend; bleep; retain
Answer: retain
Example sentence: "The committee decided to expurgate the sensitive information from the report before releasing it to the public."

grumble (verb) /ˈgrʌm bəl/
Definition: To complain or express discontent in a low, muttering, or discontented manner.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of grumble.
Options: bellyache; complain; gripe; praise
Answer: praise
Example sentence: "I don't like vegetables," he would grumble during dinner."

lambast (verb) /læmˈbeɪst/
Definition: To harshly criticize, condemn, or reprimand someone or something.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of lambast.
Options: assail; attack; berate; praise
Answer: praise
Example sentence: "The teacher had to lambast the student for not following the classroom rules."

lambaste (verb) /lamˈbast/
Definition: To criticize or attack someone or something severely and harshly.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of lambaste.
Options: assail; berate; castigate; praise
Answer: praise
Example sentence: "Politicians often lambaste their rivals to gain popularity among voters."

mordant (adjective) /ˈmɔrdənt/
Definition: Characterized by a sharp, caustic, and biting quality, often accompanied by a sense of irony or sarcasm.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of mordant.
Options: acrimonious; biting; caustic; gentle
Answer: gentle
Example sentence: "The mordant tone of the article exposed the flaws in the government's policies."

niggle (verb) /ˈnɪg əl/
Definition: To find fault or express dissatisfaction with small or trivial matters.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of niggle.
Options: bicker; carp; complain; appreciate
Answer: appreciate
Example sentence: "He spent hours niggling over the font size in the presentation slides."

nitpick (verb) /ˈnɪtˌpɪk/
Definition: To find and focus on minor or insignificant faults, flaws, or details in a critical or overly meticulous manner.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of nitpick.
Options: arp; cavil; complain; praise
Answer: praise
Example sentence: "The teacher would nitpick at every little mistake in our essays, making us feel discouraged."

obloquy (noun) /ˈɒbləkwi/
Definition: Strong public criticism or verbal abuse, often in the form of insults or denouncement.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of obloquy.
Options: castigation; censure; condemnation; acclaim
Answer: acclaim
Example sentence: "The scandal brought obloquy to the company's reputation."

pillory (verb) /ˈpɪl(ə)ri/
Definition: To publicly criticize or condemn someone, especially in a way that is intended to humiliate or shame.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of pillory.
Options: berate; blame; brand; praise
Answer: praise
Example sentence: "Her decision to pillory her colleague in front of the entire team was unprofessional."

polemical (adjective) /pəlemɪkəl/
Definition: Characterized by controversy, strong disagreement, or contentiousness.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of polemical.
Options: argumentative; combative; confrontational; agreeable
Answer: agreeable
Example sentence: "The professor engaged in a polemical discussion with his colleagues during the conference."

rebuke (noun) /rɪˈbjuːk/
Definition: A strong and often formal expression of disapproval or criticism, typically given in response to someone's actions or behavior.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of rebuke.
Options: admonish; admonition; berate; praise
Answer: praise
Example sentence: "His constant rebukes were damaging to their friendship."

reprehensible (adjective) /ˌrɛprɪˈhɛnsɪbl/
Definition: Deserving of condemnation, criticism, or disapproval.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of reprehensible.
Options: blameworthy; censurable; condemnable; admirable
Answer: admirable
Example sentence: "She found his behavior during the meeting to be reprehensible."

reprove (verb) /ˌriˈpruv/
Definition: To criticize or rebuke someone for their actions or behavior, usually in a stern or disapproving manner.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of reprove.
Options: admonish; berate; censure; praise
Answer: praise
Example sentence: "Parents often reprove their children when they misbehave to instill values."

satirical (adjective) /səˈtɪr ɪ kəl/
Definition: Characterized by the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or wit to expose and criticize human follies, vices, or societal shortcomings.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of satirical.
Options: caustic; cynical; derisive; serious
Answer: serious
Example sentence: "The artist’s satirical work highlights society's blind consumerism."

satirize (verb) /ˈsæt əˌraɪz/
Definition: To use wit, humor, and irony to ridicule or mock individuals, institutions, or societal norms.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of satirize.
Options: caricature; chaff; deride; praise
Answer: praise
Example sentence: "The comedian's stand-up routine satirized everyday annoyances brilliantly."

scathing (adjective) /ˈskeɪðɪŋ/
Definition: Extremely harsh, severe, and often expressed with intense disapproval or condemnation.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of scathing.
Options: biting; brutal; caustic; gentle
Answer: gentle
Example sentence: "The teacher's scathing remarks exposed the student's laziness."

travesty (noun) /ˈtravɪsti/
Definition: An event or situation that is seen as a gross injustice or a complete misrepresentation of the truth.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of travesty.
Options: abomination; affront; atrocity; fairness
Answer: fairness
Example sentence: "The rigged election was a travesty of democracy."

vitriolic (adjective) /ˌvɪ triˈɒl ɪk/
Definition: Characterized by strong, bitter, and caustic language or behavior.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of vitriolic.
Options: acrimonious; bitter; caustic; mild
Answer: mild
Example sentence: "The article was filled with vitriolic criticism of the author's work."

vituperate (verb) /vaɪˈtu pəˌreɪt/
Definition: To harshly or vehemently criticize, berate, or verbally attack someone or something.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of vituperate.
Options: berate; censure; chastise; praise
Answer: praise
Example sentence: "The politician chose to vituperate the media for spreading false information."

vituperation (noun) /vaɪˌtu pəˈreɪ ʃən/
Definition: The act of vehemently criticizing or verbally abusing someone in a severe and harsh manner.
Antonyms quiz: Choose the opposite meaning of vituperation.
Options: abuse; berating; censure; praise
Answer: praise
Example sentence: "Despite her accomplishments, the artist had to endure vituperation from jealous rivals."