accusatory

[uh-kyoo-zuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]

adjective

1. containing an accusation; accusing.

   an accusatory look.

Other Word Forms

• self-accusatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of accusatory¹

1595–1605; < Latin accūsātōrius, equivalent to accūsā ( re ) to accuse + -tōrius -tory ¹

Example Sentences

"Lately, as we've gone into a nativist, nationalist phase, these trade deals have become more defensive and accusatory," he explains.

From BBC

After being rejected, Venessa, also then in her mid-twenties, sent Jay a series of "angry and accusatory" messages, saying he was gossiping about her.

From BBC

His comments about former President Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis were muddled, angry and accusatory, including references to “auto pens” and cognitive tests.

From Salon

Rubio, like most in the Trump administration, uses hyperbolic and accusatory language towards his victims, calling them "lunatics."

From Salon

Disorienting shots of competing papal candidates add urgency to the reveal of election results, while an accusatory confrontation between two cardinals is punctuated by the anachronistic reveal of an espresso machine.

From Salon

When To Use

What does accusatory mean?

Accusatory is used to describe things that contain or suggest an accusation—a claim that someone is guilty of a crime or offense.An accusatory statement is usually one that directly claims that someone did something wrong. When someone says something in an accusatory tone, it suggests that they are accusing someone of something—even if the statement doesn’t contain a direct accusation.The similar word accusatorial can be used interchangeably to mean implying blame, but it’s more commonly applied to people to imply they are making an accusation, as in I don’t mean to be accusatorial—I was just making an observation. Example: Every one of your comments has been accusatory—how am I not supposed to think you’re blaming me?