DETRACTORS Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

detractors

noun

plural of detractor

as in critics

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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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 detractors Historically, each president's detractors have seen midterms as an opportunity, while his supporters have often been complacent — or at least less motivated. — Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026 With support from Jeff Yass, a Pennsylvania hedge-fund billionaire who is committed to school vouchers, Abbott got detractors voted out of office. — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026 Labeled by the press as a farmer and his wife, the depiction of the couple found detractors in both Iowans and art critics. — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 As supporters and detractors debated, Hall’s partner began replying to online comments. — Jack Denton, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026 Attention came so quickly that Dangerfield felt the need to defend against online detractors who were convinced the group was an industry plant. — Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 The film has its share of detractors, too, with some criticizing the film — with its script by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini — for being a rather predictable revenge thriller that doesn’t do anything with its Gotham City location. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 The School Freedom Fund poured nearly $1 million into statehouse races across West Virginia to both retain Morrissey’s supporters and oust detractors, like Criss. — Henry Culvyhouse, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2026 And many Trump detractors have drawn parallels to Anthony Scaramucci’s infamous 11-day stint as White House communications director in 2017. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detractors

critics

Noun

For many critics of Israel, particularly younger ones, the distinction between the country and its longtime leader has become difficult to discern.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026
His many critics have taken issue with his firebrand style and what many view as a lack of political correctness.

— Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of critics

Browse Nearby Words

detractor

detractors

detracts

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Detractors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detractors. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of detractors

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shindig

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes