These words refer to negative judgements or attitudes towards something. Disapproval is the most general of these; it may refer to a fixed, irrational dislike of a person or to a specific instance of reasoned, analytic rejection of an idea or a way of behaving: meeting his efforts at friendliness with ever harsher signs of her icy disapproval ; attempting to demonstrate her disapproval of such a solution to their problems. Criticism is more exclusively restricted to this last possibility of disapproval , usually suggesting an expressed rejection of a specific thing because of its failure to meet certain standards: his constant criticism of her way of dressing; fierce criticism of every weakness in the debater’s argument. The word, as commonly understood, most often suggests disapproval , although in more formal use it can suggest neutral analysis or even approving evaluation: the first work of criticism to claim greatness for a certain contemporary author. Blame does not suggest a measuring of something against standards; it stresses, on the contrary, an attempt to determine who is at fault for some failure or catastrophe that has already occurred. Thus the word most specifically suggests the assigning of guilt or responsibility: fixing blame on the police for their handling of the riot; taking the blame for the failure of their marriage.

The remaining words are considerably more formal than the foregoing and also suggest a much greater severity of disapproval . Animadversion is censure of a high, authoritative and somewhat formal kind. It may suggest a single point in a more extensive criticism , especially one motivated by hostility: his expected animadversion upon the book’s risqué language; a discussion that was nothing but a string of bilious animadversions . Aspersion suggests an even greater fierceness of attack than animadversion; its special emphasis is on ill-founded or reckless accusation of a defamatory nature with the implication that such criticism is rendered in a sneering or self-righteous manner: unfounded aspersion of the petitioner’s good faith; taunting her and casting aspersions on her truthfulness. Reprehension , unlike animadversion or aspersion , does not imply prejudiced or unjustified criticism but rather indicates a stern rebuke, reproof, censure or reprimand directed against something blameworthy. Reprehension is supposed to be calm and just, motivated by good intentions; it is therefore a serious matter, even when mild, and is capable of great force, as expressed in the phrase severe reprehension .

• He spoke out in reprehension of vandalism; Bigotry deserving reprehension .