accusatory

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

adjective

1. containing an accusation; accusing:

   an accusatory look.

Other Words From

• self-ac·cusa·tory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of accusatory¹

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

Example Sentences

The man’s voice reached me in an accusatory tone, as if I were being tried for some heinous crime.

From Washington Blade

The show’s mildly accusatory title evokes an idea of conversation in jeopardy, and operates on a number of levels.

From Washington Post

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.

From Washington Post

A quick search led me not only to the accusatory tweets, but to the explosion of internet chatter that followed in their wake.

From The Daily Beast

Where health is concerned though, the accusatory finger of discrimination pivots.

From The Daily Beast

By now there are many hundreds of these tweets, varying from vehement to vituperative, from accusatory to abusive.

From The Daily Beast

And he pointed an accusatory finger beyond riders to irresponsible managers and the shady doctors who enable a doping culture.

From The Daily Beast

Indictments are accusatory instruments that have no evidentiary weight at all.

From The Daily Beast

Biddy got up at this, as if the accusatory tone prompted her to place herself generously at his side.

From Project Gutenberg

He darted accusatory finger at the disconsolate pair where they stood gazing down upon the place of Crymble's sepulture.

From Project Gutenberg

Other times, other manners; accusatory declamation is simply a luxury of Old Age!

From Project Gutenberg

As Kennedy's voice rang out, more and more accusatory, Rita Tourville became more and more uncontrollably nervous.

From Project Gutenberg

The spirit of the old accusatory procedure was applied to the new procedure by inquest.

From Project Gutenberg

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?

• accusatorial
• accusing

What are some words that share a root or word element with accusatory? 

• accusation
• accuser
• cause

What are some words that often get used in discussing accusatory?

• statement
• tone
• claim
• crime
• wrongdoing
• offense
• mistake
• allege
• charge

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.