accused

[ uh-kyoozd ]

adjective

1. charged with a crime, wrongdoing, fault, etc.:

   the accused boy.

noun

1. Often the accused. a person or persons charged in a court of law with a crime, offense, etc.

accused

/ əˈkjuːzd /

noun

1. the accused
   law the defendant or defendants appearing on a criminal charge

Other Words From

• mis·ac·cused adjective
• self-ac·cused adjective
• un·ac·cused adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of accused¹

First recorded in 1585–95; accuse + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Although Marie Antoinette was found to be blameless, her reputation is thought to have been tarnished by the affair and she was unpopular among the French people, who accused her of being wasteful and a dangerous influence on the king.

From BBC

Finlay MacDonald, 41, is accused of murdering dad-of-six John MacKinnon at Teangue on Skye and attempting to murder three other people on 10 August 2022.

From BBC

Mr MacDonald is accused of attempting to murder the couple at a property in Dornie, Wester Ross, and attempting to murder his wife at their home in Tarskavaig on Skye.

From BBC

Mrs MacDonald was also asked about a physical altercation between her husband and Mr MacKinnon in 2013 - nine years before he is accused of murdering him.

From BBC

He accused the early release scheme of "severely undermining our efforts".

From BBC