accuser

American  

[uh-kyoo-zer] / əˈkju zər /

noun

1. a person who accuses, especially in a court of law.

   a trial in which the accuser and accused may freely speak.

---

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

• self-accuser
  noun

Etymology

Origin of accuser

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at accuse, -er ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

accuser

The accuser took out a protective order against Lewis.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

An accuser can call again and again, and CPS will conduct another investigation each time.

From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026

Prudence was clearly not a priority, given that reshoots were ordered when production discovered a clause in Jackson accuser Jordan Chandler’s legal settlement that barred him from being mentioned or depicted in a film.

From Salon ● Apr. 25, 2026

That case ended last year in favor of the musician’s accuser after Bambaataa failed to appear for a court hearing in New York.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 9, 2026

Satisfied that he had stilled her, the agent shifted his gaze from Lyddie to her accuser.

From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson