accusatory
adjective
ac·cu·sa·to·ry ə-ˈkyü-zə-ˌtȯr-ē 
: containing or expressing accusation : accusing
an accusatory look
Example Sentences
He pointed an accusatory finger at the suspect. The book has a harsh, accusatory tone.
Recent Examples on the Web The accusatory tone of the writing creates the suspicion that its systemic critiques are really privately held grievances. 
Sam Sacks, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022 What is this invasive and accusatory intake searching for? Claire-louise Bennett, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022 Just remember to ask your questions respectfully and not be accusatory, Chou said. Rachel Fadem, CNN, 13 Aug. 2022 Lovato’s die-hard followers flooded the comments section of the post, eagerly tying the song’s accusatory lyrics to her relationship with actor Wilmer Valderrama. Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 9 Aug. 2022 Many of those accusatory comments have used similar tones or wording, raising the possibility that they were officially organized rather than organic, Luqiu said. Vivian Wang, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Aug. 2022 Gosling said, pointing a faux-angry, accusatory finger. Scottie Andrew, CNN, 22 July 2022 That letter prompted a deluge of social media posts from former students and employees using the accusatory hashtag #CYTKnew. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2022 But the calls kept coming and Kumari's pleas grew more frantic and accusatory, Jha recalls. Pallabi Munsi, CNN, 31 May 2022 See More
Sam Sacks, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022 What is this invasive and accusatory intake searching for? Claire-louise Bennett, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022 Just remember to ask your questions respectfully and not be accusatory, Chou said. Rachel Fadem, CNN, 13 Aug. 2022 Lovato’s die-hard followers flooded the comments section of the post, eagerly tying the song’s accusatory lyrics to her relationship with actor Wilmer Valderrama. Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 9 Aug. 2022 Many of those accusatory comments have used similar tones or wording, raising the possibility that they were officially organized rather than organic, Luqiu said. Vivian Wang, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Aug. 2022 Gosling said, pointing a faux-angry, accusatory finger. Scottie Andrew, CNN, 22 July 2022 That letter prompted a deluge of social media posts from former students and employees using the accusatory hashtag #CYTKnew. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2022 But the calls kept coming and Kumari's pleas grew more frantic and accusatory, Jha recalls. Pallabi Munsi, CNN, 31 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Latin accūsātōrius "of a prosecutor, denunciatory," from accūsātor "prosecutor, accuser" (from accūsāre "to call to account, accuse" + -tor, agent suffix) + -ius, adjective suffix
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing accusatory
Legal Definition
accusatory
adjective
ac·cus·a·to·ry ə-ˈkyü-zə-ˌtōr-ē
1
: containing or expressing an accusation
the accusatory pleading
2
: accusatorial