accusation

[ak-yoo-zey-shuhn]

noun

1. a charge of wrongdoing; imputation of guilt or blame.

2. the specific offense charged.

   The accusation is murder.

3. the act of accusing or state of being accused.

accusation

/ ˌækjʊˈzeɪʃən /

noun

1. an allegation that a person is guilty of some fault, offence, or crime; imputation

2. a formal charge brought against a person stating the crime that he is alleged to have committed

Other Word Forms

• counteraccusation noun
• preaccusation noun
• reaccusation noun
• self-accusation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of accusation¹

1350–1400; Middle English accusacion < Latin accūsātiōn- (stem of accūsātiō ), equivalent to accūsāt ( us ), past participle of accūsāre ( accuse, -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Moscow regularly denies accusations of interference or attacks on commercial aviation.

From BBC

"Sometimes when you make an accusation, it's kind of a confession, Mr Kennedy," Hassan said.

From BBC

The BBC understands there are also accusations of a toxic culture at the organisation, including allegations made by a disabled volunteer who says they received bullying WhatsApp messages from Mr Joell-Deshields.

From BBC

But opposition parties say there is unfair distribution of oil earnings to groups connected to the PPP, accusations the ruling party denies.

From BBC

The first minister said there was plausible evidence that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza - an accusation the Israeli government rejects.

From BBC

Related Words

• allegation 
• complaint 
• denunciation 
• impeachment 
• indictment 
• recrimination 

When To Use

What does accusation mean?

An accusation is a claim that someone is guilty of a crime or offense.To make an accusation is to accuse someone. This can happen in everyday situations, such as children accusing each other of not sharing. But accusation is typically used in a legal context to refer to an official claim or charge that a crime has been committed.A person who makes an accusation (who accuses) is called an accuser (especially when the accusation involves a crime). The adjective accused means charged with a crime or other offense. 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. Statements that suggest or outright say that someone did something wrong can be described as accusatory.Example: If you’re going to make an accusation that serious, you’d better have some evidence to back it up.