recriminate

[ ri-krim-uh-neyt ]

verb (used without object)

, re·crim·i·nat·ed, re·crim·i·nat·ing.

1. to bring a countercharge against an accuser.

verb (used with object)

, re·crim·i·nat·ed, re·crim·i·nat·ing.

1. to accuse in return.

recriminate

/ rɪˈkrɪmɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. intr to return an accusation against someone or engage in mutual accusations

Derived Forms

• reˈcriminative, adjective
• reˈcrimiˌnator, noun

Other Words From

• re·crimi·nation noun
• re·crimi·native re·crim·i·na·to·ry [ri-, krim, -, uh, -n, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• re·crimi·nator noun
• unre·crimi·native adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of recriminate¹

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”; crime ) + -ārī, infinitive verb suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of recriminate¹

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

Example Sentences

At first, I brought those compulsive and self-recriminating habits to my time outside.

From Outside Online

Experience informs us,” as Coleridge says, “that the first defence of weak minds is to recriminate.

From Project Gutenberg

They first began to fret and pine, then to murmur, and finally to recriminate.

From Project Gutenberg

What a common dictate of the fallen and regenerate heart to resent and recriminate!

From Project Gutenberg

Bernard does not recriminate or argue in it; his love shall bring the young monk back to him.

From Project Gutenberg

But let us not recriminate; that matter is not in question now.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• allege
• arraign
• arrest
• attack
• blame
• brand
• charge
• cite
• complain
• denounce
• implicate
• indict
• name
• prosecute
• sue
• summon