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 Words From

• counter·accu·sation noun
• preac·cu·sation noun
• reac·cu·sation noun
• self-accu·sation 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

Mbonambi denied the accusation, saying he had used an Afrikaans phrase that had been misconstrued, and World Rugby decided there was insufficient evidence to charge him.

From BBC

Its response to the accusation has come through a series of tweets by its chief legal officer, Paul Grewal.

From Los Angeles Times

He has not commented on the accusation.

From BBC

The only concrete accusation so far is against Russian actors for calling in fake bomb scares to five Georgia precincts.

From Salon

Dr. Lucien O. Cox, 75, chose to retire and surrender his license as the accusation from the Medical Board of California was pending, according to an agreement signed in October by the doctor.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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