another word for to critical thinking

Top 10 Positive & Impactful Synonyms for “Critical Thinking” (With Meanings & Examples)

By Alexis Ingram

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE

Affiliate Disclosure

Hey fellow impactful ninja ?

You may have noticed that Impactful Ninja is all about providing helpful information to make a positive impact on the world and society. And that we love to link back to where we found all the information for each of our posts.

Most of these links are informational-based for you to check out their primary sources with one click.

But some of these links are so-called "affiliate links" to products that we recommend.

Why do we add these product links?

First and foremost, because we believe that they add value to you. For example, when we wrote a post about the environmental impact of long showers, we came across an EPA recommendation to use WaterSense showerheads. So we linked to where you can find them. Or, for many of our posts, we also link to our favorite books on that topic so that you can get a much more holistic overview than one single blog post could provide.

And when there is an affiliate program for these products, we sign up for it. For example, as Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

What do these affiliate links mean for you?

First, and most importantly, we still only recommend products that we believe add value for you.

When you buy something through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a small commission - but at no additional costs to you.

And when you buy something through a link that is not an affiliate link, we won’t receive any commission but we’ll still be happy to have helped you.

What do these affiliate links mean for us?

When we find products that we believe add value to you and the seller has an affiliate program, we sign up for it.

When you buy something through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra costs to you).

And at this point in time, all money is reinvested in sharing the most helpful content with you. This includes all operating costs for running this site and the content creation itself.

What does this mean for me personally?

You may have noticed by the way Impactful Ninja is operated that money is not the driving factor behind it. It is a passion project of mine and I love to share helpful information with you to make a positive impact on the world and society. However, it's a project in that I invest a lot of time and also quite some money.

Eventually, my dream is to one day turn this passion project into my full-time job and provide even more helpful information. But that's still a long time to go.

Stay impactful,

Analytical reasoning, reflective judgment, and thoughtful critique—positive and impactful synonyms for “critical thinking” enhance your vocabulary and help you foster a mindset geared toward making a positive impact. So, we had to ask: What are the top ten positive & impactful synonyms for “critical thinking”?

The top 10 positive & impactful synonyms for “critical thinking” are analytical reasoning, insightful analysis, reflective judgment, strategic thought, problem-solving, logical inquiry, independent thinking, objective evaluation, rational analysis, and thoughtful critique. Using these synonyms helps you enhance both your communication and psychological resilience in several meaningful ways.

In the table below, you can see all these top ten synonyms including their descriptions, why they are positive and impactful synonyms for “critical thinking,” and example sentences that highlight how you can use each of these. We’ll then also share ten benefits of why you should use these synonyms, ten interesting facts about the word “critical thinking,” and a brief history of the development of our alphabet.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | ‍ O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Here Are the Top 10 Positive & Impactful Synonyms for “Critical Thinking”

Our list of positive & impactful synonyms for “critical thinking” help you expand your vocabulary and enhance both your communication and psychological resilience in several meaningful ways ( you can read more about it in the next section ).

That’s why it’s so important to focus on synonyms that can be used in a positive and impactful way.

Critical Thinking : the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment Oxford Dictionary

Our top ten synonyms for “critical thinking” exemplify the beauty of our language—their meaning is not just fixed but can be shaped by the context they are used in. 

10 Benefits of Using More Positive & Impactful Synonyms

Our positive & impactful synonyms for “critical thinking” help you expand your vocabulary and enhance both your communication and psychological resilience in several meaningful ways:

• Encouraging Positive Framing : Using positive synonyms allows for a more optimistic and affirmative way of expressing thoughts. This can influence not only the speaker’s or writer’s mindset but also positively impact the audience’s perception and reaction.
• Improving Emotional Intelligence : Learning different positive synonyms helps in accurately expressing emotions. This aids in emotional intelligence, as one can more precisely convey feelings and understand the emotions of others.
• Enhancing Persuasive Communication : In persuasive writing and speaking, using positive synonyms can be more effective in convincing an audience, as people generally respond better to positive language.
• Broadening Emotional Vocabulary : A range of positive synonyms enriches your emotional vocabulary. It’s one thing to say you’re “happy” and another to express that you’re “elated,” “joyful,” or “content.” Each word carries a unique emotional hue.
• Creating a Positive Atmosphere : The use of positive language can create a more constructive and encouraging atmosphere in both personal and professional settings. This can lead to better teamwork, more effective communication, and improved interpersonal relationships.
• Enhancing Creative Writing : For those engaged in creative writing, a repertoire of positive synonyms can help in vividly depicting scenes, characters, and emotions, making the narrative more engaging and lively.
• Improving Mental Health and Well-being : Regularly using and thinking in terms of positive words can influence one’s mental state and outlook on life. Positive language has been linked to greater well-being and a more optimistic outlook.
• Improving Cognitive Flexibility : Expanding your vocabulary with positive synonyms enhances your cognitive flexibility. This means you become more adept at thinking creatively and adapting your language use to different situations. The mental exercise involved in learning and using a variety of positive words can also contribute to overall cognitive health, keeping your mind sharp and responsive.
• Building Social Skills and Empathy : When you have a variety of positive words at your disposal, you’re better equipped to offer compliments, encouragement, and empathetic responses in social interactions.
• Facilitating Conflict Resolution : In situations of conflict, the use of positive language can help de-escalate tension. Having a range of positive synonyms allows for more constructive and diplomatic communication.

Overall, your use of positive synonyms not only broadens your vocabulary but also positively influences your thought processes, emotional expression, and interpersonal interactions.

10 Interesting Facts About the Phrase “Critical Thinking”

Let’s take a step back and have a look at some interesting facts about the word “critical thinking” .

• Etymological Roots : The term “critical thinking” combines “critical,” from the Greek “kritikos,” meaning “able to discern,” and “thinking,” which pertains to the process of considering or reasoning about something. This combination underscores the concept’s foundation in discernment and analysis.
• Historical Development : Although the concept of critical thinking can be traced back to Socrates’ method of questioning over 2,500 years ago, the formal term “critical thinking” gained prominence in educational and philosophical discourse in the 20th century.
• Socratic Method : Socrates is often considered the father of critical thinking due to his development of the Socratic Method, which involves asking systematic questions to challenge assumptions and stimulate critical thinking.
• Bloom’s Taxonomy : In 1956, Benjamin Bloom and others developed Bloom’s Taxonomy, a framework for categorizing educational goals that places critical thinking at the highest level, emphasizing its importance in learning.
• John Dewey : American philosopher and educator John Dewey is another pivotal figure in the development of the concept of critical thinking, advocating for it as an essential component of education and democracy in the early 20 th century.
• Cognitive Psychology : Research in cognitive psychology has significantly influenced the understanding of critical thinking, revealing it as a complex process that involves various cognitive skills, including analysis, evaluation, and inference.
• Critical Thinking Tests : There are standardized tests specifically designed to assess critical thinking abilities, such as the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal and the Cornell Critical Thinking Tests, underscoring its measurable nature.
• Global Education : Educational systems worldwide have increasingly recognized the importance of critical thinking, incorporating it into curricula and standards to prepare students for the challenges of the modern world.
• Interdisciplinary Relevance : Critical thinking is valued across disciplines, from the sciences and humanities to business and law, demonstrating its universal applicability in problem-solving and decision-making.
• Technology and Critical Thinking : The rise of digital media has both challenged and facilitated critical thinking, with the vast availability of information necessitating enhanced skills in analysis and evaluation to discern truth from misinformation.

A Brief History of Our Alphabet

The story of our alphabet has a rich and compelling history , beginning with ancient civilizations and carrying forward into the present day.

The history of our modern alphabet is a fascinating journey that spans several millennia and cultures. It’s commonly referred to as the Latin or Roman alphabet, and here’s a brief overview of its evolution:

• Phoenician Alphabet (circa 1050 BCE) : The story begins with the Phoenician alphabet, one of the oldest writing systems known to use a one-to-one correspondence between sounds and symbols. This Semitic alphabet had about 22 consonants, but no vowels, and was primarily used for trade.
• Greek Alphabet (circa 800 BCE) : The Greeks borrowed and adapted the Phoenician script. Crucially, they introduced vowels, making it one of the first true alphabets where each symbol represented a distinct sound (both vowel and consonant). The Greek alphabet had a significant influence on the development of other alphabets.
• Etruscan Alphabet (circa 700 BCE) : The Etruscan civilization in Italy adapted the Greek alphabet to their own language. While Etruscan was largely replaced by Latin, their version of the alphabet was a key predecessor to the Roman one.
• Latin Alphabet (circa 700 BCE – Present) : The Latin alphabet emerged from the adaptation of the Etruscan script. Ancient Rome used this alphabet, and it spread across Europe as the Roman Empire expanded. The original Latin alphabet did not contain the letters J, U, and W. These were added much later along with other modifications to suit different languages and phonetic needs.
• Modern Variations : Today, the Latin alphabet is the most widely used alphabetic writing system in the world. It has undergone various changes to accommodate different languages and sounds. For instance, English—among other languages—added letters like ‘J’, ‘U’, and ‘W’, while other languages incorporate additional characters like ‘Ñ’ in Spanish or ‘Ç’ in French.

This evolution reflects not just linguistic changes but also cultural and historical shifts, as the alphabet was adapted by different societies across centuries.

Final Thoughts

Expanding your vocabulary is akin to broadening your intellectual horizons and enhancing your capacity to express your thoughts and emotions with precision. By embracing additional synonyms for “critical thinking,” you’re not just learning new terms, but you’re also gaining nuanced ways to communicate positivity and impact.

The more words you have at your disposal, the more accurately and vividly you can paint your thoughts into speech and writing. So, by growing your vocabulary, especially with positive and impactful words, you’re empowering yourself to engage more effectively and inspiringly with the world around you.

• Society for Personality and Social Psychology: Why a Simple Act of Kindness Is Not as Simple as It Seems: Underestimating the Positive Impact of Our Compliments on Others
• Journal of Personality: Psychological Resilience and Positive Emotional Granularity: Examining the Benefits of Positive Emotions on Coping and Health
• David Sacks: Letter Perfect: The Marvelous History of Our Alphabet From A to Z
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With A
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With B
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With C
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With D
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With E
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With F
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With G
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With H
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With I
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With J
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With K
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With L
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With M
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With N
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With O
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With P
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With Q
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With R
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With S
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With T
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With U
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With V
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With W
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With X
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With Y
• Impactful Ninja: Positive & Impactful Words Starting With Z

Alexis Ingram

Was this article helpful?

Yay - we are happy that you found this article helpful :) become more impactful and share the information, oh no - we are sorry that you didn’t find this article helpful :( become more impactful and help us improve it, follow this site to get new posts directly to your inbox:.

Get the 5-minute newsletter that makes reading impactful news enjoyable—packed with actionable insights to make a positive impact in your daily life.

Three Related Posts

Top 10 Positive & Impactful Synonyms for “Creative” (With Meanings & Examples)

Top 10 Positive & Impactful Synonyms for “Vulnerable Adult” (With Meanings & Examples)

Top 10 Positive & Impactful Synonyms for “Efficiency” (With Meanings & Examples)

One unrelated post.

15 Most Sustainable Denim Clothing Brands: The Conscious Consumer’s Guide

Impactful Ninja

Subscribe to receive the most impactful newsletter

The Most Impactful Advent Calendar

Subscriptions

Login / Logout

Refunds & Returns

Our Partners

Partner Portal

Partner Registration

Founder's Journey

Team of Experts

Proudly associated with

© 2024 Impactful Ninja

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Working with sources
• What Is Critical Thinking? | Definition & Examples

What Is Critical Thinking? | Definition & Examples

Published on May 30, 2022 by Eoghan Ryan . Revised on May 31, 2023.

Critical thinking is the ability to effectively analyze information and form a judgment .

To think critically, you must be aware of your own biases and assumptions when encountering information, and apply consistent standards when evaluating sources .

Critical thinking skills help you to:

• Identify credible sources
• Evaluate and respond to arguments
• Assess alternative viewpoints
• Test hypotheses against relevant criteria

Table of contents

Why is critical thinking important, critical thinking examples, how to think critically, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about critical thinking.

Critical thinking is important for making judgments about sources of information and forming your own arguments. It emphasizes a rational, objective, and self-aware approach that can help you to identify credible sources and strengthen your conclusions.

Critical thinking is important in all disciplines and throughout all stages of the research process . The types of evidence used in the sciences and in the humanities may differ, but critical thinking skills are relevant to both.

In academic writing , critical thinking can help you to determine whether a source:

• Is free from research bias
• Provides evidence to support its research findings
• Considers alternative viewpoints

Outside of academia, critical thinking goes hand in hand with information literacy to help you form opinions rationally and engage independently and critically with popular media.

Don't submit your assignments before you do this

The academic proofreading tool has been trained on 1000s of academic texts. Making it the most accurate and reliable proofreading tool for students. Free citation check included.

Try for free

Critical thinking can help you to identify reliable sources of information that you can cite in your research paper . It can also guide your own research methods and inform your own arguments.

Outside of academia, critical thinking can help you to be aware of both your own and others’ biases and assumptions.

Academic examples

However, when you compare the findings of the study with other current research, you determine that the results seem improbable. You analyze the paper again, consulting the sources it cites.

You notice that the research was funded by the pharmaceutical company that created the treatment. Because of this, you view its results skeptically and determine that more independent research is necessary to confirm or refute them. Example: Poor critical thinking in an academic context You’re researching a paper on the impact wireless technology has had on developing countries that previously did not have large-scale communications infrastructure. You read an article that seems to confirm your hypothesis: the impact is mainly positive. Rather than evaluating the research methodology, you accept the findings uncritically.

Nonacademic examples

However, you decide to compare this review article with consumer reviews on a different site. You find that these reviews are not as positive. Some customers have had problems installing the alarm, and some have noted that it activates for no apparent reason.

You revisit the original review article. You notice that the words “sponsored content” appear in small print under the article title. Based on this, you conclude that the review is advertising and is therefore not an unbiased source. Example: Poor critical thinking in a nonacademic context You support a candidate in an upcoming election. You visit an online news site affiliated with their political party and read an article that criticizes their opponent. The article claims that the opponent is inexperienced in politics. You accept this without evidence, because it fits your preconceptions about the opponent.

There is no single way to think critically. How you engage with information will depend on the type of source you’re using and the information you need.

However, you can engage with sources in a systematic and critical way by asking certain questions when you encounter information. Like the CRAAP test , these questions focus on the currency , relevance , authority , accuracy , and purpose of a source of information.

When encountering information, ask:

• Who is the author? Are they an expert in their field?
• What do they say? Is their argument clear? Can you summarize it?
• When did they say this? Is the source current?
• Where is the information published? Is it an academic article? Is it peer-reviewed ?
• Why did the author publish it? What is their motivation?
• How do they make their argument? Is it backed up by evidence? Does it rely on opinion, speculation, or appeals to emotion ? Do they address alternative arguments?

Critical thinking also involves being aware of your own biases, not only those of others. When you make an argument or draw your own conclusions, you can ask similar questions about your own writing:

• Am I only considering evidence that supports my preconceptions?
• Is my argument expressed clearly and backed up with credible sources?
• Would I be convinced by this argument coming from someone else?

If you want to know more about ChatGPT, AI tools , citation , and plagiarism , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• ChatGPT vs human editor
• ChatGPT citations
• Is ChatGPT trustworthy?
• Using ChatGPT for your studies
• What is ChatGPT?
• Chicago style
• Paraphrasing

 Plagiarism

• Types of plagiarism
• Self-plagiarism
• Avoiding plagiarism
• Academic integrity
• Consequences of plagiarism
• Common knowledge

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

Critical thinking skills include the ability to:

You can assess information and arguments critically by asking certain questions about the source. You can use the CRAAP test , focusing on the currency , relevance , authority , accuracy , and purpose of a source of information.

Ask questions such as:

• Who is the author? Are they an expert?
• How do they make their argument? Is it backed up by evidence?

A credible source should pass the CRAAP test  and follow these guidelines:

• The information should be up to date and current.
• The author and publication should be a trusted authority on the subject you are researching.
• The sources the author cited should be easy to find, clear, and unbiased.
• For a web source, the URL and layout should signify that it is trustworthy.

Information literacy refers to a broad range of skills, including the ability to find, evaluate, and use sources of information effectively.

Being information literate means that you:

• Know how to find credible sources
• Use relevant sources to inform your research
• Understand what constitutes plagiarism
• Know how to cite your sources correctly

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search, interpret, and recall information in a way that aligns with our pre-existing values, opinions, or beliefs. It refers to the ability to recollect information best when it amplifies what we already believe. Relatedly, we tend to forget information that contradicts our opinions.

Although selective recall is a component of confirmation bias, it should not be confused with recall bias.

On the other hand, recall bias refers to the differences in the ability between study participants to recall past events when self-reporting is used. This difference in accuracy or completeness of recollection is not related to beliefs or opinions. Rather, recall bias relates to other factors, such as the length of the recall period, age, and the characteristics of the disease under investigation.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Ryan, E. (2023, May 31). What Is Critical Thinking? | Definition & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/working-with-sources/critical-thinking/

Is this article helpful?

Eoghan Ryan

Other students also liked, student guide: information literacy | meaning & examples, what are credible sources & how to spot them | examples, applying the craap test & evaluating sources, get unlimited documents corrected.

✔ Free APA citation check included ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

• To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

critical thinking

Definition of critical thinking

Examples of critical thinking in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'critical thinking.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Dictionary Entries Near critical thinking

critical temperature

critical value

Cite this Entry

“Critical thinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/critical%20thinking. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Plural and possessive names: a guide, every letter is silent, sometimes: a-z list of examples, the difference between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.', what's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism', more commonly misspelled words, popular in wordplay, weird words for autumn time, 8 words with fascinating histories, 8 words for lesser-known musical instruments, birds say the darndest things, 10 words from taylor swift songs (merriam's version), games & quizzes.

• Help Center

Synonyms for Critical-thinking

9 other terms for critical-thinking - words and phrases with similar meaning.