Accuse: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when someone is formally saying that another person has done something wrong, usually in a criminal or legal context.

• She was accused of stealing the money
• He accused his neighbor of breaking the fence

Used in a formal legal context when someone is legally accused of a crime and is officially stated to have done a criminal act.

• He was charged with robbery
• The suspect was charged with multiple counts of fraud

Used to assert something as a fact without any proof, typically in legal or news reports. Often used to describe something that is still under investigation.

• The article alleged that the company had been involved in fraud
• They alleged he committed the crime, but there is no solid evidence

Used when expressing the idea that someone is responsible for a fault or wrongdoing. It often has a less formal context and can be used in everyday situations.

• She blamed her brother for breaking the vase
• They blamed the weather for their late arrival

This word is used when someone is formally charged with a wrongdoing or a crime, often in a legal context. It implies a serious allegation.

• The police have accused him of theft.
• She was accused of cheating during the exam.

This word is commonly used in everyday situations when holding someone responsible for something bad that happened. It can also be used to describe someone's opinion rather than an official charge.

• Don’t blame me for your mistakes.
• She blamed herself for the accident.

This phrase is less formal and is used to say that someone is being blamed, often in an accusatory manner. It is frequently used in spoken language.

• Everyone in the office pointed the finger at John when the error was found.
• She angrily pointed the finger at her colleague during the argument.

This word is more formal and is often used to suggest that an action or quality is attributable to a person, often unfairly. It has a slightly negative connotation.

• They imputed the project's failure to his lack of leadership.
• His critics imputed selfish motives to his actions.