thumbs-down

noun

Definition of thumbs-downnext
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 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 Ultimately, the Fillmore city council gave Aston the thumbs-down on Aston's bond idea. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2026 Those patients can provide feedback on Emmie’s responses with simple thumbs-up or thumbs-down reactions. — Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 14 Apr. 2026 For opponents, that can feel like the tennis equivalent of a thumbs-down from a Roman emperor. — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thumbs-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thumbs-down
  1. criticism
  2. distaste
  3. disapproval
  4. condemnation
  5. rejection
  6. censure
  7. denunciation
Noun
  • But the lobbyist has doubled down on her criticism of McCuskey in a recent letter to Illinois’ four top legislative leaders and obtained by the Tribune.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The sharpest criticism of the deal came from Venezuelan opposition figures, who argue that a caretaker administration installed after a foreign military operation has no standing to sign away a century of oil rights.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of criticism
Noun
  • The designers were mostly united in their distaste for what are known on the playa as Sparkle Ponies.
    — Henry Alford, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Evidence isn’t scarce as to why Canadians have a newfound distaste for the White House.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of distaste
Noun
  • The committee earlier this month recommended censure, which registers the House’s deep disapproval of a lawmaker’s conduct that doesn’t meet the threshold for expulsion.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Sheinbaum, writing on X early Saturday, expressed her disapproval of Rocha Moya’s decision to return as governor of northwestern state.
    — Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of disapproval
Noun
  • El-Sayed put distance between himself and Piker on Wednesday following intraparty condemnation of Piker’s comments on American Jews.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • If an agreement was not reached outside of court, the city filed for condemnation.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of condemnation
Noun
  • Wilson’s whispering, Kermit-ish cadence juxtaposed with Heems’s audacious bars shorthands the borough’s rejection of one-size-fits-all characterization as one of the most diverse urban centers in the world.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Some experts say the call for a temporary halt to more approvals should not be taken as a rejection of potential foreign investment in the country, but rather as a mechanism to establish clear rules, especially around transparency.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of rejection
Noun
  • Edwards stood in the well of the House as the censure resolution was read.
    — Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Following the vote, Speaker Mike Johnson asked Edwards to present himself in the well of the chamber as the censure resolution was read aloud.
    — John Parkinson, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of censure
Noun
  • What Assange wanted was not a system hardened against attacks, but one tied in knots, hopelessly conflicted and filled with suspicion, denunciations, and purges.
    — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Iran launched a drone attack against Azerbaijan early in the war, triggering harsh denunciations and speculation that Azerbaijan could enter the war.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of denunciation

Browse Nearby Words

thumbs
thumbs-down
thumbs-downs
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Cite this Entry

“Thumbs-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thumbs-down. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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