recriminate

[ri-krim-uh-neyt]

See more synonyms for recriminate on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), re·crim·i·nat·ed, re·crim·i·nat·ing.

to bring a countercharge against an accuser.

verb (used with object), re·crim·i·nat·ed, re·crim·i·nat·ing.

to accuse in return.

Origin of recriminate

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin recrīminātus (past participle of recrīminārī to accuse in turn), equivalent to re- re- + crīmin-, stem of crīmen accusation, blame (see crime) + -ātus -ate¹

Related formsre·crim·i·na·tion, nounre·crim·i·na·tive, re·crim·i·na·to·ry

[ri-krim-uh-nuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /rɪˈkrɪm ə nəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectivere·crim·i·na·tor, nounun·re·crim·i·na·tive, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for recriminate

criticize, castigate, taunt, denounce, chide, berate, blame, admonish, upbraid, censure, rebuke, reprimand, vilify, reproach, prosecute, sue, name, brand, summon, cite

Examples from the Web for recriminate

Historical Examples of recriminate

It required the exercise of some forbearance not to recriminate.
The Professor at the Breakfast Table
Oliver Wendell Holmes (Sr.)
But let us not recriminate; that matter is not in question now.
Paul and His Dog, v.1 (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XIII)
Charles Paul de Kock
And then how I should like to recriminate and defend myself indignantly!
Pencillings by the Way
N. Parker Willis
The lady soothed him and fell into thought, and did not recriminate.
A Group of Noble Dames
Thomas Hardy
To recriminate now, he said, would be as exasperating as unavailable.
Clarissa Harlowe, Volume 9 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson

British Dictionary definitions for recriminate

recriminate

verb

(intr) to return an accusation against someone or engage in mutual accusations

Derived Formsrecriminative or recriminatory, adjectiverecriminator, noun

Word Origin for recriminate

C17: from Medieval Latin recrīmināre, from Latin crīminārī to accuse, from crīmen an accusation; see crime

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for recriminate

"return one accusation with another," c.1600, from Medieval Latin recriminatus, past participle of recriminari "to make charges against," from Latin re- "back, again" (see re-) + criminari "to accuse," from crimen (genitive criminis) "a charge" (see crime). Related: Recriminated; recriminating.