accusation
noun
ac·cu·sa·tion ˌa-kyə-ˈzā-shən 
-(ˌ)kyü-
1
: a charge of wrongdoing
The evidence confirms the accusations made against him.
She denied the accusation.
2
: the act of accusing someone : the state or fact of being accused
Example Sentences
Investigators have made accusations of corruption against a group of former officials. The police are investigating serious accusations of wrongdoing. He denied the accusation that he had lied to the police. There was a hint of accusation in his voice when he asked her where she had been.
Recent Examples on the Web Why would Alicent be so concerned about Rhaenyra, and Rhaenyra so hurt by Alicent’s accusation? 
Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2022 August Wachter, the father of the girl in the video, told The Tribune he was appalled by the response to the video — particularly by the threats, and the accusation that his daughter was being sexualized by dancing with drag queens. Palak Jayswal, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 Kelly settled the suit that morphed into an underage accusation for $250,000. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2022 The accusation follows the US government's recent efforts to block China's access to advanced chips for research and development. Matthew Humphries, PCMAG, 6 Sep. 2022 That accusation was challenged Thursday when the school district said the training session in question was about the subject of implicit bias and did not indicate White people are inherently racist. Aya Elamroussi And Andy Rose, CNN, 27 Aug. 2022 The foundation’s board of directors denied the claims, and instead accused Abdullah of a similar scheme, citing a letter from unnamed members of Black Lives Matter Grassroots echoing the accusation. Erika D. Smithcolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2022 While Nicholas makes the accusation, the film — mostly shot in London — doesn’t seek to point fingers (or even suggest there is anything to point at), and just deals with the crippling consequences. Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Aug. 2022 The accusation centers around Wendell Nibbs, who began teaching at Brownsville Middle School in 2002 and eventually became one of about 800 union building stewards elected by the staff. Jeffrey Schweers, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Aug. 2022 See More
Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2022 August Wachter, the father of the girl in the video, told The Tribune he was appalled by the response to the video — particularly by the threats, and the accusation that his daughter was being sexualized by dancing with drag queens. Palak Jayswal, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 Kelly settled the suit that morphed into an underage accusation for $250,000. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2022 The accusation follows the US government's recent efforts to block China's access to advanced chips for research and development. Matthew Humphries, PCMAG, 6 Sep. 2022 That accusation was challenged Thursday when the school district said the training session in question was about the subject of implicit bias and did not indicate White people are inherently racist. Aya Elamroussi And Andy Rose, CNN, 27 Aug. 2022 The foundation’s board of directors denied the claims, and instead accused Abdullah of a similar scheme, citing a letter from unnamed members of Black Lives Matter Grassroots echoing the accusation. Erika D. Smithcolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2022 While Nicholas makes the accusation, the film — mostly shot in London — doesn’t seek to point fingers (or even suggest there is anything to point at), and just deals with the crippling consequences. Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Aug. 2022 The accusation centers around Wendell Nibbs, who began teaching at Brownsville Middle School in 2002 and eventually became one of about 800 union building stewards elected by the staff. Jeffrey Schweers, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English accusacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin accūsātiōn-, accūsātiō, from accūsāre "to blame, charge with a crime" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at accuse
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing accusation
Kids Definition
accusation
noun
ac·cu·sa·tion ˌa-kyə-ˈzā-shən
: a claim that someone has done something bad or illegal
Legal Definition
accusation
noun
ac·cu·sa·tion ˌa-kyə-ˈzā-shən
1
: a formal charge of wrongdoing, delinquency, or fault
the accused shall enjoy the right…to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation U.S. Constitution amend. VI
compare allegation, indictment, information U.S. Constitution amend. VI2
: the offense or fault of which one is accused
the accusation was murder
accusation
noun
as in allegation
a claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal; a charge that someone has committed a fault or crime Investigators have leveled accusations of corruption against a group of former officials. The police are investigating serious accusations of wrongdoing. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- allegation
- condemnation
- denunciation
- censure
- culpability
- guilt
- reproach
- blame
- finger-pointing
- plea
- onus
- complicity
- rap
- fault
- sinfulness
- blameworthiness
- guiltiness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- blamelessness
- innocence
- guiltlessness
- faultlessness