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
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 Chartres, Annie Vivanti
Do not recriminate; that biting strain Backward and forward will saw love in twain.
From A Century of Emblems by Cautley, G. S.
At the beginning of the "Fifth Night" we find:— "Lorenzo, to recriminate is just, I grant the man is vain who writes for praise."
From Johnson's Lives of the Poets — Volume 2 by Johnson, Samuel
Could I have borne to recriminate, I believed that I could have forced one of them to condemn another; but, oh! was divine truth sent us for discord and for condemnation?
From Phases of Faith Passages from the History of My Creed by Newman, Francis William
"It's all your fault," the district attorney recriminated bitterly.
From The Rider of Golden Bar by White, William Patterson
In November, Thomas Spurdance, one of queen Mary's servants, was brought before the chancellor of Norwich, who, among his interrogations, was severely recriminated upon by the prisoner.
From Fox's Book of Martyrs Or A History of the Lives, Sufferings, and Triumphant Deaths of the Primitive Protestant Martyrs by Foxe, John
He complains especially of his tutors, and in one case with abundant reason; but, by his own confession, they might have recriminated with justice, for he indulged in gay society, and kept late hours.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 8 "Germany" to "Gibson, William" by Various
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 Disraeli, Benjamin, Earl of Beaconsfield
She criminated Charles, and Charles recriminated and threatened her, and for one night the palace was filled with the noise and uproar of the quarrel.
From History of King Charles the Second of England by Abbott, Jacob
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
A small, unnatural waist, foretells displeasing success and recriminating disputes.
From Ten Thousand Dreams Interpreted, or what's in a dream: a scientific and practical exposition by Miller, Gustavus Hindman
He said in a bitter, recriminating tone, "You don't know what you are talking about," and left her standing there, the tears frozen in her eyes.
From The Bent Twig by Fisher, Dorothy Canfield
The solemn voice that had croaked "S-o-m-e time!" so frequently, took to monotonous, recriminating speech.
From The Lookout Man by Bower, B. M.
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 Adams, F. Colburn (Francis Colburn)
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.
