highly critical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly critical" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something when they have a lot of sharply negative opinions or judgments. For example, "The movie critic was highly critical of the latest blockbuster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Most media were highly critical.

The Economist

Clegg was highly critical of Tony Blair.

The Guardian

He's also highly critical of the aftermath.

The Guardian - Film

She is highly critical of the media.

The Guardian

But Clegg was highly critical of Mitchell.

The Guardian

Their manager, Mick McCarthy, was highly critical of the referee.

The Guardian - Sport

The report was, however, highly critical of the MP's actions.

The Guardian - Money

But Lord Porter was highly critical of the changes.

The Guardian

He was highly critical of the decision to remove Gibson.

The Guardian

Senior Tories were highly critical of the CPS's actions.

The Guardian

Previously, Mr. Landau has been highly critical of Sanofi's prospects.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "highly critical", ensure the context provides sufficient information about the basis of the criticism. Avoid vague statements and provide specific reasons or examples.

Common error

Avoid using "highly critical" as a standalone judgment. Always provide context or evidence to support the assertion. Simply stating something is "highly critical" without further explanation weakens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly critical" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a strong degree of disapproval or analytical judgment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is commonly used to express negative opinions or assessments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly critical" is a frequently used adjective phrase that expresses a strong degree of disapproval or analytical judgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and is prevalent in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context and specific reasons for the criticism to avoid vagueness. While the phrase is often negative, the intent behind it can vary. Alternatives like "sharply critical" or "deeply disapproving" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sharply critical

Emphasizes the intensity and pointed nature of the criticism.

extremely judgmental

Focuses on the act of forming severe opinions, often negatively.

deeply disapproving

Highlights a strong feeling of moral objection or condemnation.

severely censuring

Indicates a formal and authoritative expression of disapproval.

roundly condemning

Suggests widespread and forceful disapproval.

vociferously objecting

Highlights a loud and forceful expression of disagreement or disapproval.

very negative

Offers a more general and less intense expression of disapproval.

offering scathing remarks

Implies harsh and bitter criticism.

expressing strong reservations

Focuses on doubts or concerns rather than outright criticism.

raising serious objections

Emphasizes the act of formally presenting reasons for disagreement or opposition.

FAQs

How can I use "highly critical" in a sentence?

You can use "highly critical" to describe someone's assessment or analysis. For example, "The reviewer was "sharply critical" of the performance", or "The report was "extremely judgmental" of the company's practices".

What are some alternatives to "highly critical"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "sharply critical", "deeply disapproving", or "severely censuring" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always negative to be "highly critical"?

While "highly critical" often implies a negative assessment, it's not inherently negative. It simply means subjecting something to rigorous and detailed analysis. The tone depends on the context and the nature of the analysis.

What's the difference between "highly critical" and "constructive criticism"?

"Highly critical" describes the intensity of the critique, while "constructive criticism" describes its intent. Constructive criticism aims to help improve something, while "sharply critical" can be purely judgmental or analytical, without necessarily aiming to improve the subject.