accuse
verb
ac·cuse ə-ˈkyüz 
accused; accusing
transitive verb
1
: to charge with a fault or offense : blame
He accused her of being disloyal.
2
: to charge with an offense judicially or by a public process
He was accused of murder.
intransitive verb
: to bring an accusation
accuser
ə-ˈkyü-zər
noun 
Synonyms
- charge
- criminate
- defame [archaic]
- impeach
- incriminate
- indict
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
she was accused of lying on the employment application
Recent Examples on the Web Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of attacking the plant, which the Kremlin’s forces have held since early March. 
Hanna Arhirova, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Sep. 2022 Set the Reichstag on fire, then accuse the Communists of doing it. Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 6 Sep. 2022 The suit does not accuse Schrader of infringing on Vanden Berge’s copyright. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 3 Sep. 2022 Presidents do not generally accuse the other party of attempting to eviscerate democracy, of defying the rule of law itself. Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2022 The charges also accuse Gardner of grand theft during the same period. Staff Reports, cleveland, 29 Aug. 2022 Arrest warrants accuse the women of hitting, pushing, grabbing and yelling at the child over the course of two hours. Henri Hollis, ajc, 24 Aug. 2022 But in their motion, Trump’s lawyers accuse the Justice Department of deploying a political weapon at a Republican foe. Anchorage Daily News, 23 Aug. 2022 Transit unions accuse Britain’s Conservative government of preventing train companies — which are privately owned but heavily regulated — from making a better offer. Jill Lawless, USA TODAY, 20 Aug. 2022 See More
Hanna Arhirova, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Sep. 2022 Set the Reichstag on fire, then accuse the Communists of doing it. Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 6 Sep. 2022 The suit does not accuse Schrader of infringing on Vanden Berge’s copyright. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 3 Sep. 2022 Presidents do not generally accuse the other party of attempting to eviscerate democracy, of defying the rule of law itself. Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2022 The charges also accuse Gardner of grand theft during the same period. Staff Reports, cleveland, 29 Aug. 2022 Arrest warrants accuse the women of hitting, pushing, grabbing and yelling at the child over the course of two hours. Henri Hollis, ajc, 24 Aug. 2022 But in their motion, Trump’s lawyers accuse the Justice Department of deploying a political weapon at a Republican foe. Anchorage Daily News, 23 Aug. 2022 Transit unions accuse Britain’s Conservative government of preventing train companies — which are privately owned but heavily regulated — from making a better offer. Jill Lawless, USA TODAY, 20 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English acusen, accusen, borrowed from Anglo-French accuser, acuser, borrowed from Latin accūsāre "to blame, censure, charge with a crime," from ad- ad- + -cūsāre, verbal derivative of causa "legal case, reason, cause" — more at cause entry 1
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids Definition
accuse
verb
ac·cuse ə-ˈkyüz
accused; accusing
: to blame for something wrong or illegal
She accused him of stealing.
Legal Definition
accuse
verb
ac·cuse
accused; accusing
transitive verb
: to charge with an offense judicially or by a public process compare indict
intransitive verb
: to make or bring an accusation
accusers
noun
1
as in blamers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- blamers
- troublemakers
- tormentors
- persecutors
- torturers
- harassers
- mockers
- instigators
- hecklers
- taunters
- agitators
- detractors
- baiters
- scorners
- ridiculers
- insulters
- scoffers
- quizzers
- needlers
- teasers
- belittlers
- deriders
- teases
- jeerers
- gibers
- jibers
- quizzes
- wiseacres
- smart alecks
- wise guys
- trash-talkers
- smart alecs
- smarties
- smarty-pants
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- peacemakers
- reconcilers
- comforters
- uniters
- solaces
- soothers
- succorers
2
as in defendants
Synonyms & Similar Words
- defendants
- accused
- petitioners
- appellants
- pleaders
- complainants
- plaintiffs
- appellees
- litigants
- suers
- suitors
- parties