recrimination

[ ri-krim-uh-ney-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of recriminating, or countercharging:

   Hope gave way to recrimination with both sides claiming the moral high ground.

2. a countercharge:

   The poll suggests that the public is frustrated by the bickering and recriminations.

recrimination

/ rɪˌkrɪmɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of recriminating
2. law a charge made by an accused against his accuser; countercharge

Other Words From

• self-re·crimi·nation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of recrimination¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Middle French, from Late Latin recrimination-, stem of recriminatio “criticism,” equivalent to Medieval Latin recrīmināt(us), past participle of recrīminārī “to accuse in turn” + -iō -ion ( def ); recriminate ( def )

Example Sentences

The recrimination game among Democrats and pundits is on in a big way, and a major theme is the idea that the party has lost working-class men—especially white and Latino men who don’t have college degrees—because of the way its candidates look and talk.

From Slate

“There would be boozy rows aplenty — some in front of other couples — or long silent stews of resentment or recrimination or shame,” wrote Zehme.

From Salon

The rise of Christian nationalism in the 1980s, the government shutdowns in the 1990s, the emergence of the tea party in the 2000s, along with an atomized and increasingly partisan media, fueled a politics of recrimination and discontent.

From Los Angeles Times

When Grady finds Ashley’s body the next day, the subsequent quest for answers sets off a chain reaction of recrimination and revelations.

From Los Angeles Times

The FBI identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, who was killed by a Secret Service sniper, and in the hour before sunset, a narrative of blame, recrimination and suspicion was amplified on social media and partisan TV talk shows.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• allegation
• complaint
• denunciation
• impeachment
• indictment