accuser
Americannoun
Usage
What does accuser mean? An accuser is someone who accuses someone of a crime or offense—says that they are guilty of it. Doing so is called making an accusation. Accusing can happen in everyday situations, such as children accusing each other of not sharing, but accuser is typically only used in serious situations, especially when someone accuses someone else of committing a crime. The person against whom the accusation is made can be described with the adjective accused. Accused is also used as a noun to refer to a person or people who have been charged with a crime, often as the accused. In many legal systems, the accused has the right to face their accuser in court. Example: This verdict has finally brought some justice to his many accusers.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of accuser
Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at accuse, -er 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Protesters have also gathered in New York, Boston and other US cities to show support for the accuser, while social media users have shared the hashtag #IAmJaneDoe on TikTok, X and Instagram.
From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026
Another accuser, whose 911 tape was played during opening statements, called emergency services weeping from her job at the Boys and Girls Club in Santa Monica immediately after she’d left Weinberg’s house.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
Van Houten defended his initial decision not to pursue charges in November 2024, when the accuser, identified as Jane Doe, first spoke to Cornell University police.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
After the Massachusetts charges became public, Peters posted a video on X that appeared to show his accuser, as well as a handwritten note.
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
“Chief guardian, the accuser is the woman Vandara.”
From "Gathering Blue" by Lois Lowry
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
