overcritical

adjective

over·​crit·​i·​cal ˌō-vər-ˈkri-ti-kəl 

: excessively critical (see critical sense 2a) : very inclined to point out faults and imperfections

Perfectionists tend to be largely overcritical of any misstatement, misspelling or flaw and see it as vitally important to correct people when they make a mistake.

—Paula Davis-Laack

Synonyms

• captious
• carping
• caviling
• cavilling
• critical
• faultfinding
• hypercritical
• judgmental
• rejective

Examples of overcritical in a Sentence

an overcritical teacher can discourage even the most dedicated of students

Word History

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined above