recriminatoryadj.

1649 S. W. Constant Man’s Char. 44 The Parliaments often Declarations and Charges against the King, set forth since the beginning of this War, not denyed or answered by any of his party, saving in a recriminatory and scoffing way.

1771 D. Grant Two Diss. Popish Persecution ii. 162 Instead of a direct and open defence, they make use of the recriminatory method.

1785 E. Burke Speech Nabob Arcot's Debts in Wks. (1815) IV. 195 Returning the prosecution in a recriminatory bill of pains and penalties.

1845 H. H. Wilson Hist. Brit. India 1805–35 I. v. 271 The Government precipitated itself into a career of recriminatory and vindictive acts.

1866 N.Y. Times 24 June 8/5 By this verification she does not swear positively that the recriminatory charges made by her are true of her own knowledge.

1895 T. Hardy Jude v. v. 372 They left the tent together, this pot-bellied man and florid woman, in the antipathetic, recriminatory mood of the average husband and wife of Christendom.

1908 Daily Chron. 7 Sept. 1/6 The publication of a letter of a recriminatory and incendiary character, sent by the Japanese Consul-General.., in which the ruffianism of his nationals and the failure of his Court to assist in maintaining order are defended.

1953 Stanford Law Rev. 5 544 About the only way the husband could be certain to avoid being subject to this discretion was by establishing a recriminatory defense.

1995 Times 13 Mar. 19 Their rejection..led to a recriminatory atmosphere in which partisan politics have overtaken judgments about competence.