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accusatory
[ uh-kyoo-zuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]
Other Words From
- self-ac·cusa·tory adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of accusatory1
Example Sentences
The man’s voice reached me in an accusatory tone, as if I were being tried for some heinous crime.
The show’s mildly accusatory title evokes an idea of conversation in jeopardy, and operates on a number of levels.
Ad Council researchers also found that some possible messaging approaches, such as encouraging Americans to be vaccinated because it’s “the right thing to do,” were rejected as pushy or accusatory in surveyed groups.
A quick search led me not only to the accusatory tweets, but to the explosion of internet chatter that followed in their wake.
Where health is concerned though, the accusatory finger of discrimination pivots.
By now there are many hundreds of these tweets, varying from vehement to vituperative, from accusatory to abusive.
And he pointed an accusatory finger beyond riders to irresponsible managers and the shady doctors who enable a doping culture.
Indictments are accusatory instruments that have no evidentiary weight at all.
Biddy got up at this, as if the accusatory tone prompted her to place herself generously at his side.
He darted accusatory finger at the disconsolate pair where they stood gazing down upon the place of Crymble's sepulture.
Other times, other manners; accusatory declamation is simply a luxury of Old Age!
As Kennedy's voice rang out, more and more accusatory, Rita Tourville became more and more uncontrollably nervous.
The spirit of the old accusatory procedure was applied to the new procedure by inquest.
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More About Accusatory
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?
Where does accusatory come from?
The first records of the word accusatory in English come from the 1500s. Its base word, accuse, ultimately derives from the Latin accūsāre, meaning “to call to account,” from causa, “lawsuit.”
When you make an accusation, you specifically say that someone did something wrong. An accusatory statement contains an accusation or it implies blame for something. The word accusation is often used in a legal context, and the word accusatory can be used in this way or in everyday conversation. A person might even be accused of (or criticized for) saying accusatory things, such as when they don’t have anything to back up their accusation.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to accusatory?
- self-accusatory (adjective)
- accuse (verb)
What are some synonyms for accusatory?
What are some words that share a root or word element with accusatory?
What are some words that often get used in discussing accusatory?
How is accusatory used in real life?
Accusatory is usually used to describe the things people say and the way they say them—as opposed to the people themselves.
Amongst the accusatory statements and words of disappointment, you’ll find hints of potential wiggle-room from Brussels: a possible softening of EU demands on state aid rules and fishing quotas and an admission, that.. /5
— katya adler (@BBCkatyaadler) June 5, 2020
Everyone likes to impose these questions—or accusatory statements—on each other, but they only really work when they are asked and reflected upon by thyself.
— Blue Reverie 🌀 (@infpprince) June 25, 2020
Today I asked a customer for his number to look up his rewards account, and his girlfriend looked at me dead in the face and asked me why I needed his number in the most accusatory tone I’ve ever heard.
WHAT.
— Danie (@helloitsdanie) July 4, 2020
Try using accusatory!
Is accusatory used correctly in the following sentence?
I know you’re not blaming her, but your tone does sound accusatory.
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