recriminate

[ ri-krim-uh-neyt ]

verb (used without object)

, re·crim·i·nat·ed, re·crim·i·nat·ing.

1. to bring a countercharge against an accuser.

verb (used with object)

, re·crim·i·nat·ed, re·crim·i·nat·ing.

1. to accuse in return.

recriminate

/ rɪˈkrɪmɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. intr to return an accusation against someone or engage in mutual accusations

Derived Forms

• reˈcriminative, adjective
• reˈcrimiˌnator, noun

Other Words From

• re·crimi·nation noun
• re·crimi·native re·crim·i·na·to·ry [ri-, krim, -, uh, -n, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• re·crimi·nator noun
• unre·crimi·native adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of recriminate¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Medieval Latin recrīminātus “accused,” past participle of recrīminārī “to accuse in turn,” from re- re- + crīmin- (stem of crīmen “accusation, blame, charge”; crime ) + -ārī, infinitive verb suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of recriminate¹

C17: from Medieval Latin recrīmināre , from Latin crīminārī to accuse, from crīmen an accusation; see crime

Example Sentences

Obama said Trump’s amplification of conspiracy theories, angry and recriminating tweets and corruption was “not normal behavior.”

From Washington Post

He was expected to further recriminate Maduro and his corrupt socialist government and attempt to expand a coalition dedicated to his ouster.

From Los Angeles Times

She later said she wanted to share her experience as an example of "getting knocked down and getting back up" not to "accuse or recriminate".

From BBC

For a little while I had recriminating thoughts about the failure of humans to see beyond ourselves into the vast universe: we have so little ambition!

From Scientific American

And Anne and Ron are allowed to go on too long and too explicitly, as they rationalize and recriminate in considering what went wrong in the past.

From New York Times

Related Words

• allege
• arraign
• arrest
• attack
• blame
• brand
• charge
• cite
• complain
• denounce
• implicate
• indict
• name
• prosecute
• sue
• summon