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Accused: meaning, definitions and examples

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accused

 

[əˈkjuːzd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

legal

A person or group of people who are charged with or on trial for a crime.

Synonyms

alleged perpetrator, defendant, suspect.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
accused

Used when someone has been charged with a crime but not yet found guilty in a court of law.

  • The accused was brought before the judge
  • The police have the accused in custody until the trial
defendant

Used in a legal setting to refer to a person who is being sued or accused of a crime in a court of law.

  • The defendant took the stand to testify
  • The jury found the defendant not guilty
suspect

Used to describe someone who is thought to have committed a crime but has not yet been formally charged.

  • The police have arrested a suspect in the robbery
  • The main suspect is being questioned by detectives

Examples of usage

  • The accused pleaded not guilty in court.
  • The accused was released on bail until the trial.
Context #2 | Verb

general

To charge someone with an offense or crime.

Synonyms

allege, blame, charge.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
accused

Used in legal or formal settings to indicate someone who has been charged with a crime but has not yet been proven guilty.

  • The accused stood before the judge, awaiting the verdict.
  • She was the accused in the high-profile theft case.
charge

Used in legal contexts to formally accuse someone of a crime. It involves a formal statement of accusation and often leads to a court case.

  • The police decided to charge him with robbery after reviewing the evidence.
  • She was charged with several counts of fraud.
allege

Typically used when asserting something as a fact without providing proof. It is often employed in legal, journalistic, or formal contexts.

  • The report alleges that the company committed several environmental violations.
  • They allege that he was involved in the scam, but no evidence has been presented.
blame

Used in everyday conversation to indicate assigning responsibility for a fault or wrong. It can be informal and often carries a negative connotation.

  • Don't blame me for the mistake; I wasn't even there.
  • She always blames others for her problems.

Examples of usage

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

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'accusare', meaning 'to call to account' or 'to charge'.
  • It has been used in English since the late 14th century, primarily in legal contexts.

Legal System

  • In a trial, the accused has the right to defend themselves against the charges.
  • The presumption of innocence is a key principle, meaning the accused is considered innocent until proven guilty.
  • Accused individuals may face various types of charges, from civil suit allegations to serious criminal offenses.

Psychology

  • Being accused can lead to psychological stress, including anxiety and feelings of injustice.
  • Research suggests innocent people accused of wrongdoing often experience feelings of betrayal and isolation.
  • The label of 'accused' can have lasting effects on one's identity and social standing, even if cleared of charges.

Pop Culture

  • The theme of being wrongly accused is common in movies and TV shows, reflecting societal fears of injustice.
  • Famous literary works often explore the plight of the accused, showcasing their struggles and the quest for truth.

Media

  • Accusations made in the media can have powerful repercussions, influencing public opinion before a trial.
  • Sensationalized accusations can lead to 'trial by media', where an individual's reputation is damaged before legal proceedings.

Translations

Translations of the word "accused" in other languages:

🇵🇹 acusado

🇮🇳 आरोपी

🇩🇪 beschuldigt

🇮🇩 tertuduh

🇺🇦 звинувачений

🇵🇱 oskarżony

🇯🇵 被告

🇫🇷 accusé

🇪🇸 acusado

🇹🇷 suçlanan

🇰🇷 피고인

🇸🇦 المتهم

🇨🇿 obviněný

🇸🇰 obvinený

🇨🇳 被告

🇸🇮 obtožen

🇮🇸 ásakaður

🇰🇿 айыпталушы

🇬🇪 ბრალდებული

🇦🇿 ittiham olunan

🇲🇽 acusado

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,794, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.