HYPERCRITICAL Meaning and
Definition
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Hypercritical is an adjective that refers to a highly judicious and fault-finding attitude or behavior towards oneself or others. It is derived from the combination of the prefix "hyper-", meaning excessive or beyond, and the word "critical," indicating a tendency to judge and evaluate with great severity.
A hypercritical individual possesses an inclination to relentlessly scrutinize and critique, often excessively, the actions, abilities, or qualities of themselves and others. They tend to be overly focused on finding flaws, mistakes, or areas for improvement, usually with an excessive emphasis on minor details. Their critical lens may extend beyond objective evaluation into subjective and often biased judgment, leading to an unfair and exaggerated assessment of others' efforts or achievements.
Hypercritical individuals may harbor impossibly high standards and unrealistic expectations, making it challenging for others to meet their criteria. This attitude can be perceived as nitpicky, fault-seeking, and unnecessarily harsh, causing potential damage to relationships and fostering an atmosphere of constant dissatisfaction. Furthermore, their tendency to excessively criticize often masks their own insecurities or fear of making mistakes, as if they believe that by exposing the perceived imperfections in others, their own flaws will be hidden or dismissed.
In summary, hypercritical refers to an exaggerated, fault-finding attitude characterized by an incessant need to criticize and evaluate with severity, often leading to unreasonable standards and unfair judgments.
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Unfairly severe or critical.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for HYPERCRITICAL *
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Other Common Misspellings for HYPERCRITICAL
Etymology of HYPERCRITICAL
The word "hypercritical" derives from the combination of two ancient Greek roots: "hyper" meaning "over" or "beyond" and "kritikos" meaning "judge" or "to judge". "Hyper" is a prefix commonly used in English to indicate excessive or extreme qualities, while "kritikos" is derived from "krinein", meaning "to separate" or "to decide". Thus, by combining these roots, "hypercritical" came to express the notion of being excessively or overly critical in judgment.
Similar spelling words for HYPERCRITICAL
- hypersecretion,
- hypercalciuria,
- hypericism,
- hypercapnia,
- hypercatalectic,
- hypersensitive,
- hypercarbia,
- hypercalcemia,
- hypericales,
- Hypercritically,
- hyperactive,
- hypercalcaemia,
- hypericaceae.
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