critical thinking
noun
1
: the act or practice of thinking critically (as by applying reason and questioning assumptions) in order to solve problems, evaluate information, discern biases, etc.
2
: the set of skills, methods, etc. involved in critical thinking
Media literacy enlivens how our schools teach critical thinking by serving as a bridge between the classroom and the world in which our young people live most of their waking lives.—
Wally Bowen
Wally BowenUsing the same skills used for centuries—analysis, synthesis, and evaluation—we must look at digital literacy as another realm within which to apply elements of critical thinking.—Barbara Jones-Kavalier and Suzanne Flannigan
—sometimes hyphenated when used before another noun
Barbara Jones-Kavalier and Suzanne FlanniganHelping students develop critical-thinking skills and information literacy is one of the core missions of libraries everywhere.—Nancy Pearl
Nancy PearlExamples of critical thinking in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ultimately, anything that requires innovative reasoning or critical thinking should be completed without the use of AI tools.
—Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
For me, however, the most convincing reason for humans to continue writing is the neural pathway argument: Science suggests that writing strengthens cognitive function and critical thinking, and even increases dopamine.
—Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 10 May 2025
Guided by his father’s insistence on self-education and critical thinking and African American mentors (and heavily influenced by self-help books like Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice by Dennis Kimbro and Napoleon Hill), Muhammad learned that access to wisdom could transcend circumstance.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 10 May 2025
It was designed to expose students to culture, history, great ideas and critical thinking skills.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for critical thinking
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Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
For me, however, the most convincing reason for humans to continue writing is the neural pathway argument: Science suggests that writing strengthens cognitive function and critical thinking, and even increases dopamine.
—Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 10 May 2025
Guided by his father’s insistence on self-education and critical thinking and African American mentors (and heavily influenced by self-help books like Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice by Dennis Kimbro and Napoleon Hill), Muhammad learned that access to wisdom could transcend circumstance.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 10 May 2025
It was designed to expose students to culture, history, great ideas and critical thinking skills.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for critical thinking
Cite this Entry
“Critical thinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/critical%20thinking. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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