critical thinking

noun

: the act or practice of thinking critically (as by applying reason and questioning assumptions) in order to solve problems, evaluate information, discern biases, etc.

Today, what we call the Socratic method is a way of teaching that fosters critical thinking, in part by encouraging students to question their own unexamined beliefs, as well as the received wisdom of those around them.—

Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt

: 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

Using 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

Helping students develop critical-thinking skills and information literacy is one of the core missions of libraries everywhere.—

Nancy Pearl

Examples of critical thinking in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Curiosity powers innovation, collaboration, critical thinking, agility and problem-solving. —

Expert Panel®, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025 More importantly, higher education cultivates critical thinking, creativity, decision-making, and the ability to learn from data and history—skills that are more essential than ever in an era of AI and a rapidly changing workforce. —

Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024 His work required critical thinking, problem solving, on-the-spot analyses, and the performance of tasks on tight deadlines. —

Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024 Through its Mind over Music program, Phoenix Symphony musicians work with teachers to help students learn key academic concepts, critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork through music. —

Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for critical thinking

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of critical thinking was in 1815

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Critical thinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/critical%20thinking. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

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