DETRACTOR Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

detractor

noun

Definition of detractor

as in critic

a person who criticizes something or someone Despite his popularity, his many detractors still think his work is overrated. Even her detractors had to admit that she had made the company successful.

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of detractor Even so, a pocket of detractors lingers. — Chet Flippo, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2026 The tradition is not without its detractors. — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026 And that’s brought out something new and strong in this Canadian team, regardless of what detractors say. — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 24 June 2026 Bear detractors may feel that Carmy is getting off too easily in this episode, and that the grace he’s shown is a bit too narratively convenient. — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026 The delay has raised questions about the condition of his son and successor, and criticism from detractors who say the state is trying to inflate attendance. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 1 July 2026 Geller, a former Democratic state lawmaker and county party chair, said that state policies on school choice and federal action spurring deportations could be detractors. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 22 June 2026 The decision was preceded by several decades of fervent debate and disagreement among practitioners; detractors argued that adding the disorder was reckless, if not mercenary. — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 Nagelsmann’s detractors say his decisions are mired by a lack of communication, tactical cohesion and understanding of dressing-room politics, much the same as his time at Bayern. — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detractor

Noun

Early reactions dropped Monday, and while these are always to be taken with a grain of salt, the superlatives are flying from the keyboards of fanboys and film critics alike.

— Tom Tapp, Deadline, 6 July 2026
Yang was investigated as part of President Xi Jinping ’s decade-long anti-corruption campaign that critics say has been used partly to remove his political rivals.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026

Definition of critic

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detractor

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“Detractor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detractor. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of detractor

noun

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