Accuse: meaning, definitions and examples

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accuse

[əˈkjuːz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

legal

To charge someone with a wrongdoing or crime, typically based on evidence or suspicion.

Synonyms

allege, blame, charge.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
accuse	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
charge	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
allege	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
blame	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

Examples of usage

He was accused of stealing from the company.
She accused him of lying to her about his whereabouts.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

general

To blame someone for something, often without proof.

Synonyms

blame, impute, point the finger at.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
accuse	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.
blame	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.
point the finger at	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.
impute	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.

Examples of usage

She accused her friend of betraying her trust.
He accused her of being selfish.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'accuse' comes from the Latin 'accusare,' meaning 'to call to account or to blame.'
Originally, the word was used in legal contexts, where someone was brought to court to be blamed for something.
The prefix 'ad-' means 'to' in Latin, while 'causare' means 'to cause,' further emphasizing the action of bringing a case against someone.

Legal Context

In law, to accuse means to formally assert that someone has committed a crime or wrongdoing.
Accusation can lead to serious consequences, including trials where evidence is presented to prove or disprove the claim.
False accusations can harm the accused person's reputation and result in legal penalties against the accuser.

Cultural Perspectives

Different cultures have varying practices for accusing someone; in some places, public shaming is a traditional response.
In various societies, an accusation may vary in seriousness depending on factors like social status or relationship between the individuals involved.
Stories across cultures often revolve around themes of false accusations leading to moral lessons, emphasizing fairness and truth.

Psychology

Psychological studies show that accusations can lead to defensive behaviors, which can escalate conflicts between individuals.
People often accuse others in an attempt to project their own negative feelings or behaviors onto someone else, a defense mechanism known as projection.
Accusations can create stress and anxiety for both the accuser and the accused, impacting mental health and relationships.

Literature

In literary works, accusations often serve as critical plot devices that drive conflict, such as in Arthur Miller's 'The Crucible', which explores the dangers of mass hysteria.
Classic literature often examines the moral ramifications of accusations, highlighting themes of justice and integrity, as seen in Shakespeare's 'Othello'.
Many novels feature unreliable narrators who make accusations, forcing readers to question truth and motives, such as in Agatha Christie's mysteries.

Translations

Translations of the word "accuse" in other languages:

🇵🇹 acusar

🇮🇳 आरोप लगाना

🇩🇪 beschuldigen

🇮🇩 menuduh

🇺🇦 звинувачувати

🇵🇱 oskarżać

🇯🇵 非難する

🇫🇷 accuser

🇪🇸 acusar

🇹🇷 suçlamak

🇰🇷 비난하다

🇸🇦 يتهم

🇨🇿 obvinit

🇸🇰 obviniť

🇨🇳 控告

🇸🇮 obtožiti

🇮🇸 ásaka

🇰🇿 айыптау

🇬🇪 ბრალდება

🇦🇿 ittiham etmək

🇲🇽 acusar

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,802, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
11799 conciliation
11800 rob
11801 irresponsible
11802 accuse
11803 pact
11804 shovel
11805 momentarily
...