Blathered on - not quietly - and gave a critical opinion (5)

I believe the answer is:

rated

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'gave a critical opinion' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to thinking as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rated that I've seen before include "Had a high opinion of" , "Highly valued" , "Censured" , "esteemed" , "Assessed in trade" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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