Hypercritical

Hypercritical describes a person who is excessively critical or finds fault with others easily and often. This behavior stems from an inclination to be excessively judgmental, to see only flaws, and to express negative opinions with little or no consideration for the feelings of those being critiqued. It often involves a focus on minor details or perceived imperfections that are not truly significant, and a tendency to apply strict, sometimes unrealistic, standards. hypercritical individuals may appear harsh, nitpicking, and demanding, creating a tense or unpleasant environment for those around them.

Hypercritical meaning with examples

• The film critic's review was relentlessly hypercritical. He picked apart every detail, from the actors' performances to the cinematography, seemingly determined to find fault. He gave the film no credit for its strengths. The audience's love of the film was in stark contrast to the harshness of the critic's negative evaluation.
• Her hypercritical comments about her sister's choices constantly strained their relationship. Whether it was her job, her boyfriend, or the clothes she wore, nothing seemed to be good enough. The sister became increasingly withdrawn to protect herself from her sister's constant judgment and negativity.
• He was a hypercritical boss who found fault with every report and presentation. The staff was afraid to present work. He corrected every minute detail, never acknowledging the effort put in. The team's morale suffered, impacting productivity and leading to high employee turnover.
• The art professor's hypercritical analysis of each student's work was demoralizing. He would focus on technical flaws and theoretical inconsistencies. The students felt stifled and discouraged. Instead of fostering creativity, his critiques bred self-doubt and fear of failure.
• Despite having a loving family, the child had developed a hypercritical attitude towards their mother. She was consistently critical of their appearance and their meals and how they were cleaning their room. This behavior was likely the product of the child's anxiety.