English > pick apart: 1 sense > verb 1, communication| Meaning | find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws / flaws. |
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| Pattern | Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s somebody |
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| Synonyms | knock, criticize, criticise |
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| Entails | evaluate, pass judgment, judge | form a critical opinion of |
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| Narrower | admonish, reprove, reproof | take to task |
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| attack, round, assail, lash out, snipe, assault | attack in speech or writing |
| belabor, belabour | attack verbally with harsh criticism |
| blame, find fault, pick | harass with constant criticism |
| call on the carpet, take to task, rebuke, rag, trounce, lecture, reprimand, jaw, dress down, call down, scold, chide, berate, bawl out, remonstrate, chew out, chew up, have words, lambaste, lambast | censure severely or angrily |
| come down | criticize or reprimand harshly |
| denounce | Speak out against |
| deplore | Express strong disapproval of |
| disparage, belittle, pick at | Express a negative opinion of |
| harsh on | Criticize harshly |
| nitpick | Be overly critical |
| reprehend | Express strong disapproval of |
| reprimand, censure, criminate | rebuke formally |
| savage, blast, pillory, crucify | criticize harshly or violently |
| Broader | comment, notice, remark, point out | make or write a comment on |
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| Opposite | praise | Express approval of |
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| Spanish | criticar, culpar, juzgar |
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| Catalan | criticar |
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