What does animadverted mean?
"Animadverted" is the past tense of the verb "animadvert," meaning to make critical or censorious remarks about something — to point out faults openly and often pointedly. The word derives from the Latin "animadvertere," literally "to turn the mind toward," so to animadvert is to direct one's attention to a failing and pronounce judgment on it. It belongs firmly to formal English: legal opinions, scholarly reviews, and literary criticism are its natural habitats, and it nearly always appears followed by "upon" or "on," as in "the court animadverted upon the defendant's conduct." Because of its elevated tone, it conveys disapproval with an air of authority rather than mere complaint. Though rarely heard in casual conversation today, it remains a precise and dignified way to express censure, prized by writers who want their criticism to sound considered rather than merely harsh.
verbPast tense of "animadvert": to comment critically or make censorious remarks about something; to criticize or censure openly.
- To make critical or censorious remarks about someone or something; to censure or find fault openly.
"The reviewer animadverted sharply upon the author's careless handling of primary sources."
"The committee animadverted upon the treasurer's unexplained expenditures."
"In his essay, Johnson animadverted freely on the slovenly style of his contemporaries."
From Latin 'animadvertere' — literally 'to turn the mind toward' — this word has been turning minds toward faults since Roman times.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of animadverted
"Animadverted" comes from the Latin verb "animadvertere," formed from "animus" (mind) and "advertere" (to turn toward), meaning to turn one's mind to something. It entered English in the late 16th or early 17th century, initially in the general sense of noticing or observing before narrowing to critical censure. It shares the "advertere/vertere" root with words such as "advert," "avert," and "convert."
Related word forms
How animadverted is actually used
Highly formal and somewhat archaic register; found chiefly in legal, academic, and literary writing. Almost always used with the prepositions 'upon' or 'on'.
Easily confused with animadverted
"Advertised" means publicly announced or promoted something, whereas "animadverted" means criticized or censured it.