What is the opposite of “criticism”?

What is the antonym of “criticism”?

The antonyms of criticism are praise, commendation, and approval. These words convey a positive evaluation or judgment of someone's work, behavior, or actions. They imply satisfaction, appreciation, or admiration.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

praise

Expressing approval or admiration for someone's achievements, qualities, or actions.

Example

The teacher gave him praise for his excellent performance in the class.

commendation

An official or public expression of praise or approval for someone's work or behavior.

Example

The company received commendation from the government for its contribution to the environment.

approval

The act of officially agreeing to or accepting something, often after careful consideration or examination.

Example

The board of directors gave their approval to the new project proposal.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Praise is a general term that describes expressing approval or admiration for someone's achievements, qualities, or actions.
• 2. Commendation is a more formal term that refers to an official or public expression of praise or approval for someone's work or behavior.
• 3. Approval is a complementary term that describes the act of officially agreeing to or accepting something, often after careful consideration or examination.

Good things to know

• 1. Motivate Others: Use praise, commendation, and approval to encourage and motivate others.
• 2. Build Relationships: Incorporate antonyms in conversations to show appreciation and respect.
• 3. Provide Feedback: Utilize these antonyms to provide constructive feedback and recognize good work.

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Remember this!

The antonyms have distinct nuances: Praise conveys general approval, commendation denotes an official or public expression of praise, and approval refers to the act of agreeing or accepting something. Use these words to motivate others, build relationships, and provide feedback by recognizing good work and showing appreciation.