THUMBS-DOWN Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

thumbs-down

noun

Definition of thumbs-down

as in criticism

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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 thumbs-down As to whether the megaprojects bill is ultimately a thumbs-up or thumbs-down for taxpayers, Dardick said all the questions raised in the treasurer's study need to be answered. — Dana Kozlov, CBS News, 26 May 2026 McCain famously defied his political party in a thumbs-down vote against repealing President Barack Obama's signature Affordable Care Act. — Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 30 Apr. 2026 Greg’s smile, contrasted with the frowns and thumbs-down from the rest of the crew, makes for an entertaining visual. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026 But the Western States Petroleum Association, an industry trade group, gave Tuesday’s announcement a thumbs-down. — Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thumbs-down

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbs-down

Noun

Either way, Steve Sarkisian has noticed something different about his quarterback this week, which also comes at a time of heightened criticism towards the Texas offense.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
The government efforts to make sure that male royals are producing male emperors have triggered criticisms.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticism

Noun

Economic disapproval rose to 65%, the highest for any president CNBC has measured back to President Barack Obama, and one point higher than Biden's worst showing.

— Steve Liesman, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
What readers are saying The comments express strong disapproval of Vivek Ramaswamy's political ad, which features Amy Acton's estranged mother, who is portrayed as lacking credibility due to her past actions.

— Karen Tumulty, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of disapproval

Noun

The Johnson County pastor and the former rural doctor traded condemnations, repeatedly turning policy questions into opportunities to cast doubt on each other’s character and fitness for office.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Under Ben-Gvir, Israeli police have increasingly allowed Jews to pray at the site, a deliberate provocation to the Arab world, drawing condemnation from Palestinian and Jordanian authorities.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of condemnation

Noun

The shouts of rejection came in part because there was a plausible scenario under which James would have opened the season at Madison Square Garden in a Knicks uniform.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Long before launch, the team faced obstacles that nearly thwarted the endeavor — chiefly, two rejections from NASA — before finally securing the green light for the $1 billion project under the New Frontiers Program in 2011.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of rejection

Noun

Israel might face its ultimate fear—losing the United States’s veto at the UN Security Council, which has protected its occupation since 1967 from international censure, even under critical Democratic presidents like Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama.

— Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
Football—besides being one of our more ubiquitous and unrestrained national entertainments—has also become one of the rare arenas in American life where highly specialized language can flourish without censure.

— Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of censure

Noun

For protesters, that record sits uneasily besides the prime minister’s denunciation of violence against women.

— Amrita Basu, The Conversation, 22 Oct. 2026
The frontrunner is Marine Le Pen, who has worked for years to make her far-right party, the National Rally, more electable while campaigning on immigration, crime, and denunciation of an out-of-touch political class.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of denunciation

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thumbs

thumbs-down

thumbs-downs

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“Thumbs-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbs-down. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of thumbs-down

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