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 In spite of the steadfast testimony of those who went over the antlers as meticulously as anyone could, there are still many detractors. — Richard P. Smith, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026 The Dangerous Liaisons actress has long defended All’s Fair from detractors, after the Hulu show debuted in 2025 to relentlessly negative reviews from critics and viewers alike. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug. 2026 The plot against Zeraati is part of a widening campaign by the Iranian government which involves hiring criminals—Russian mobsters, Hells Angels bikers, and even Swedish teen-agers—to attack its detractors and sow fear among Iranians in exile. — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026 Marshall’s detractors say the Florida property is emblematic of a lawmaker who is out of touch with his constituents. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026 The third ingredient is the capitalization of future monetary demand – what detractors might call speculation, but is really just the way investment works. — Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Even if their worst detractors considered Les Lalanne mere decor collected by socialites, the support of famous people was helpful in their careers. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026 But criticism of the outdoor dining arrangements built up, with detractors saying the spots were unsightly, dirty, and harboring rats. — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 Nvidia 's extraordinary $500 billion financing initiative with Wall Street's biggest firms to fund the AI buildout is predictably attracting detractors. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detractor

Noun

Others felt Gibson critics were overreacting to his attempt at humor in Toronto over the weekend.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Religious law as a rival legal system One common target is sharia, which critics often describe as a competing legal system poised to displace American law.

— Asma Uddin, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of critic

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detractive

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detractors

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“Detractor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detractor. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of detractor

noun

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