accusation

[ ak-yoo-zey-shuhn ]

noun

1. a charge of wrongdoing; imputation of guilt or blame.
2. the specific offense charged:

   The accusation is murder.

3. the act of accusing or state of being accused.

accusation

/ ˌækjʊˈzeɪʃən /

noun

1. an allegation that a person is guilty of some fault, offence, or crime; imputation
2. a formal charge brought against a person stating the crime that he is alleged to have committed

Other Words From

• counter·accu·sation noun
• preac·cu·sation noun
• reac·cu·sation noun
• self-accu·sation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of accusation¹

1350–1400; Middle English accusacion < Latin accūsātiōn- (stem of accūsātiō ), equivalent to accūsāt ( us ), past participle of accūsāre ( accuse, -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

The concern is that a public accusation would result in an escalation.

From The Daily Beast

The Copperheads, a group of Midwestern Democrats, made the accusation—and far worse—against President Lincoln during Emancipation.

From The Daily Beast

Barack Obama, made the accusation against President Bush during the Iraq War.

From The Daily Beast

Constand claimed that the accusation was patently false, and demanded $150,000 in damages from the tabloid and attorney.

From The Daily Beast

He was accused of “formalism,” a catch-all accusation that, like “Trotskyite,” had the ring of execution about it.

From The Daily Beast

In cases in which no attempt is made to ignore the accusation, the small wits are wont to be busy discovering exculpations.

From Project Gutenberg

How would the involuntary accusation have been embittered, had he known that the Empress drew the same conclusion!

From Project Gutenberg

And when Lessard flung out that last unthinkable accusation, the explosion came.

From Project Gutenberg

The one thing that loomed big in my mind's eye was the monstrous injustice of the accusation.

From Project Gutenberg

Whether he had shot a man, or robbed a bank, or fired a church, the incipient accusation died away.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• allegation
• complaint
• denunciation
• impeachment
• indictment
• recrimination