accused
noun
ac·cused ə-ˈkyüzd 
plural accused
: one charged with an offense
especially : the defendant in a criminal case
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing accused
Legal Definition
accused
noun
ac·cused
ə-ˈkyüzd
plural accused
: a person who has been arrested for or formally charged with a crime : the defendant in a criminal case
the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial 
U.S. Constitution amend. VI
U.S. Constitution amend. VINote: Certain rights guaranteed by the Constitution, such as the right to counsel, become effective once a person is characterized as an accused.
accused 1 of 3
adjective
as in indicted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- indicted
- convicted
- condemned
- impeached
- culpable
- guilty
- punishable
- blameworthy
- indictable
- blamable
- impeachable
- shamed
- shamefaced
- censurable
- hangdog
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- acquitted
- blameless
- innocent
- guiltless
- clear
- cleared
- irreproachable
- faultless
- impeccable
- absolved
- vindicated
- inculpable
- exonerated
- cleanhanded
- moral
- virtuous
- lily-white
- righteous
- ethical
- upright
- law-abiding
accused
2 of 3noun
as in defendant
Synonyms & Similar Words
- defendant
- suspect
- criminal
- culprit
- offender
- arrestee
- detainee
- accomplice
- convict
- fish
- principal
- lawbreaker
- misdemeanant
- outlaw
- perpetrator
- desperado
- miscreant
- jailbird
- crook
- perp
- trespasser
- villain
- wrongdoer
- transgressor
- malefactor
- thug
- gangster
- sinner
- hooligan
- racketeer
- hoodlum
- mobster
- gallows bird
- misfeasor
- misdoer
- button man
- blackhander
- evildoer
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lawman
- gangbuster
accused
3 of 3verb
as in charged
to make a claim of wrongdoing against she was accused of lying on the employment application Synonyms & Similar Words
- indicted
- charged
- blamed
- prosecuted
- sued
- criticized
- incriminated
- defamed
- impeached
- denounced
- condemned
- appealed
- censured
- tried
- criminated
- cited
- castigated
- arraigned
- rebuked
- faulted
- implicated
- summoned
- reproached
- reported
- impugned
- named
- reproved
- chided
- taxed
- retaliated
- chid
- reprobated
- inculpated
- booked
- damned
- called (on)
- framed
- recriminated
- informed (against)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- acquitted
- exonerated
- cleared
- absolved
- vindicated
- advocated
- defended
- justified
- exculpated
- championed
- excused
- pardoned
- forgave
- remitted
- shrived
- shrove