accusatory
Americanadjective
Usage
What does accusatory mean? Accusatory is used to describe things that contain or suggest an accusation—a claim that someone is guilty of a crime or offense. An accusatory statement is usually one that directly claims that someone did something wrong. When someone says something in an accusatory tone, it suggests that they are accusing someone of something—even if the statement doesn’t contain a direct accusation. The similar word accusatorial can be used interchangeably to mean implying blame, but it’s more commonly applied to people to imply they are making an accusation, as in I don’t mean to be accusatorial—I was just making an observation. Example: Every one of your comments has been accusatory—how am I not supposed to think you’re blaming me?
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of accusatory
1595–1605; < Latin accūsātōrius, equivalent to accūsā ( re ) to accuse + -tōrius -tory 1
Explanation
An accusatory statement is a way of pointing your finger at someone and saying, “I know you did it!” It shows someone you think they did something wrong. The adjective accusatory is popular in murder mysteries. Screaming, "The butler did it!" is accusatory. Giving someone the evil eye is accusatory. Sometimes accusatory words or actions are obvious, and other times they're subtle. Any time you want to describe something that makes an accusation, call it accusatory.
Vocabulary lists containing accusatory
A Thousand Splendid Suns
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All American Boys
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Among the Hidden
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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.
Taking an accusatory approach—like asking, why can’t you see that you’re being fooled—can make a victim shut down, said Marti DeLiema, a University of Minnesota assistant professor of social work who studies financial fraud.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026
Hillenbrand said she tries to approach the discussions with curiosity rather than taking an accusatory stance, particularly when suspect theories arise.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 18, 2026
This will feel less accusatory, she says, and you might be able to find an even higher number than that of your colleague.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 21, 2026
It’s waking up to a kitchen that feels neutral — even welcoming — instead of accusatory.
From Salon ● Dec. 20, 2025
If we were having a real, full-on argument or if I’d gotten in trouble at school, I’d find more accusatory missives waiting for me when I got home.
From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
