intransitive/transitive to say what you think is wrong or bad about somethingCabinet members were told not to criticize the policy publicly.
It was difficult to be honest without seeming to criticize.
criticize someone/something for (doing) something: The new proposals have been criticized for not going far enough to change the system.
be strongly/severely/widely/sharply/heavily criticized: Social services were widely criticized for not taking more action to protect children at risk.