accusation
/akjʊˈzeɪʃ(ə)n
/noun
1A charge or claim that someone has done something illegal or wrong: accusations of bribery...
- It is these kinds of charges and accusations that make people laugh at the military.
- Defeat on the pitch can lead, and has led, to accusations not only of bribery but cowardice and even treason.
- Countering accusations of dullness, the insurer's job often borders on the surreal.
Synonyms
allegation, charge, claim, assertion, asseveration, attribution, incrimination, imputation, denouncement, indictment, arraignment, citation, inculpation, blame, condemnation, criticism, complaint;
suit, lawsuit;
British plaint;
North American impeachment, bill of indictment
North American informal beef
1.1 [mass noun] The action or process of accusing someone: there was accusation in Brian’s voice...
- A generation later, he is driven to return to the scene, craving discovery and even accusation.
- It is no exaggeration to say the town was being torn apart by suspicion, rumour and accusation during my visit there in November.
- You could not conceivably get more resentment and accusation than is documented there.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin accusatio(n-), from accusare 'call to account' (see accuse).