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.
Peters also surrendered his passport and, as part of his bail conditions, agreed to refrain from contacting or posting about his accuser.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
Thousands of students and faculty members rallied Monday at Cornell to demand justice for the accuser, displaying signs reading "Hold them accountable" and "Protect survivors."
From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026
Years later the accuser publicly apologized for fabricating the charges.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026
The Tompkins County District Attorney initially chose not to pursue charges in 2024, but said the allegations in the civil suit are substantially different from the statement the accuser gave campus police two years ago.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
Her defender picked up the stack of papers on the table before him; Kira had watched him marking these papers meticulously as he listened to the accuser.
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.
