micro-criticism

also: micro-criticism, microcriticism, micro-criticize, micro-criticized

1: A statement, action, or incident regarded as an instance of indirect, subtle, or unintentional expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes.

2: Criticising someone by using a different person as an example. Not necessarily intentional.

3: Intentionally criticising a person covertly, in an easily deniable way, as the actual subject being criticized is not referenced directly, but is only hinted at through situational context. A technique sometimes used in "gaslighting".

"My mother's story about a former friend was a pretext to micro-critize my life's choices."

"He made a micro-criticism when he said to me that he hates that other person's pants, while I was wearing the same kind.

"When I confronted her for insinuating I was fat, she got defensive and said I misunderstood, she was talking about other people, not me. I felt bad for getting mad, but we were talking about me in the first place. Was it a micro-criticism, or am I overly sensitive?"