Judgemental Definition and Meaning
Judgemental (also spelled judgmental in American English) — adjective
Definition:
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Tending to judge others harshly or moralistically; having or displaying an excessively critical or condemnatory attitude.
Example: “She gave me a judgemental look when I ordered dessert after dinner.” -
Involving the act or process of judgment; relating to forming an opinion or evaluation. (Less common, formal usage.)
Example: “The essay requires a judgemental analysis of the poem’s themes.”
Meaning Summary:
In everyday use, judgemental carries a negative connotation, describing someone who is quick to form critical, moral, or disapproving opinions without full understanding or empathy.
In a more neutral or formal sense, it can simply mean “pertaining to judgment or evaluation.”
Synonyms (negative sense):
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critical
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condemning
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censorious
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fault-finding
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hypercritical
Synonyms (neutral sense):
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evaluative
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analytical
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discerning
Antonyms:
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tolerant
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open-minded
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accepting
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nonjudgmental
Etymology:
From judgment (or judgement) + suffix -al.
The pejorative meaning of “overly critical” became widespread in the 20th century, particularly in psychology and self-help contexts (e.g., “nonjudgmental therapy”).
Usage Notes:
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The word is almost always used disapprovingly, implying harshness, superiority, or lack of compassion.
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A judgemental attitude often involves quick moral assessments or fault-finding rather than fair evaluation.
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Being judgemental can function as a defense mechanism to avoid self-reflection.
Typical Usage:
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“He’s very judgemental about how others dress.”
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“Try not to be so judgemental of her choices.”
