higher criticism

noun

Synonym of historical criticism (“study of received texts, especially the Bible, as historical sources”).

Similar
historical criticism
OriginGerman höhere Kritik →
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Meanings

nounhigher criticism (uncountable)
  1. uncountableSynonym of historical criticism (“study of received texts, especially the Bible, as historical sources”).

    Synonyms: historical criticism

Synonyms & antonyms

nounSynonym of historical criticism (“study of received texts, especially the Bible, as historical sources”).

Similar
historical criticism
Also see
historical criticism

Origin

  1. Germanhöhere Kritik
  2. Englishhigher criticism

Calque of German höhere Kritik. Originally in contrast to lower criticism (now dated), i.e. textual criticism, the reconstruction of the text itself.

More words from German

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

higher criticism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/higher%20criticism

MLA

“higher criticism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/higher%20criticism. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “higher criticism,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/higher%20criticism.

Source: higher criticism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.