recriminate
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of recriminate
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Medieval Latin recrīminātus “accused,” past participle of recrīminārī “to accuse in turn,” from re- re- + crīmin- (stem of crīmen “accusation, blame, charge”; see crime) + -ārī, infinitive verb suffix
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.
See Examples For:
“I do not condemn, I do not recriminate, and I do not criticize Minister Mandetta,” Bolsonaro told reporters at the Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 16, 2020
May not we have leave to recriminate in this place?
From The History of the Life and Adventures of Mr. Duncan Campell A Gentlen, who, tho' Deaf and Dumb, Writes down any Stranger's name at first Sight; by Daniel Defoe
Still, I declined to be led into further discussion, or to recriminate in kind, so that ultimately I came to feel strong as one does who is intentionally weak before her enemy.
From Seeds of Pine by Janey Canuck
Uncle Giacomo would give nothing that might fall into Aldo's hands; Carlo less than nothing; he would only reproach and recriminate.
From The Devourers by Annie Vivanti Chartres
"I have not come here to recriminate," Mr. Sidney declared.
From Kingdom of the Blind by E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim
Conscious of my innocence, quite desperate, but confiding in my character, I accused the guilty trio; they recriminated and answered, and without clearing themselves convinced the public that I was their dissatisfied and disappointed tool.
From Vivian Grey by Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield
Evidently he paid court to her with so much success that he turned from her and recriminated himself for having his passion aroused by a counterfeit.
From Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great - Volume 13 Little Journeys to the Homes of Great Lovers by Elbert Hubbard
Thus the unhappy pair unavailingly recriminated, till my cousin Hervey entered, and, with Mrs. Norton, conducted up to her own chamber the inconsolable mother.
From Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 9 by Samuel Richardson
For well know I, that she could have recriminated upon me with a vengeance.
From Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 4 by Samuel Richardson
On the other hand, Whitfield, who had been accustomed to bear reproach and face opposition, recriminated with double acrimony and greater success.
From An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Colonies of South Carolina and Georgia, Volume 2 by Alexander Hewatt
I think it’s possible to discuss this honestly, even if it causes your wife pain, without simply berating or recriminating.
From Slate ● Oct. 29, 2019
These same passages that you stamped as recriminating, I have used an equal right to quote myself, for the purpose of showing you the folly of the accusation.
From The Public vs. M. Gustave Flaubert by Various
Each now commenced giving a confused version of the affair, criminating and recriminating in a manner that only served to increase the disgrace to which it attached.
From The Life and Adventures of Maj. Roger Sherman Potter by F. Colburn (Francis Colburn) Adams
But," he continued, pursuing his restless walk, "again to use your own phraseology, I am not merely recriminating.
From The Light of Scarthey by Egerton Castle
And at it they went, criminating and recriminating, until the empty carriage was driven away, and the policemen took them by the shoulders and pushed them into the station house.
From Self-Raised Or, From the Depths by Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth
Definitions 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.
