censorious

[sen-sawr-ee-uhs, -sohr-] / sɛnˈsɔr i əs, -ˈsoʊr- /

ADJECTIVE

very critical

Synonyms

WEAK

accusatory captious carping caviling cavillous chiding complaining condemnatory condemning critical culpatory denouncing disapproving disparaging fault-finding hypercritical overcritical reprehending reproaching severe

Antonyms

WEAK

complimentary encouraging flattering laudatory praising

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One surefire way to be cast as the villain in American culture is to be seen as censorious.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026

But the censorious effect is the same, even if deployed covertly.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

Perhaps to the dismay of the censorious, it is also instructional.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2025

Stories of censorious undergraduates and ridiculous newspeak in the U.S. found grateful consumers in French, German, and U.K. media.

From Slate • Jan. 5, 2025

Much advice on style is stern and censorious.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Vocabulary lists containing censorious

Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 1

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Into Thin Air

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Franny and Zooey

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