Recriminate: meaning, definitions and examples

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recriminate

 

[ rɪˈkrɪməˌneɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

blame reciprocally

To recriminate means to make an accusation or to retaliate against a charge or accusation made by someone else. It involves responding to allegations with additional accusations, often in a heated or confrontational manner.

Synonyms

accuse, countercharge, retaliate.

Examples of usage

  • After the argument, they began to recriminate each other.
  • In the heated debate, he didn't hesitate to recriminate his opponent.
  • Their relationship deteriorated as they continued to recriminate.
  • The couple often found themselves in a cycle of recrimination.

Translations

Translations of the word "recriminate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 recriminá-lo

🇮🇳 प्रतिवादी

🇩🇪 Vorwurf

🇮🇩 menyalahkan

🇺🇦 звинуватити

🇵🇱 oskarżać

🇯🇵 非難する

🇫🇷 récriminations

🇪🇸 recriminación

🇹🇷 karşılıklı suçlama

🇰🇷 비난하다

🇸🇦 التهم

🇨🇿 obviňovat

🇸🇰 obviňovať

🇨🇳 相互指责

🇸🇮 obtoževati

🇮🇸 ásaka

🇰🇿 айыптау

🇬🇪 ბრალდება

🇦🇿 ittiham etmək

🇲🇽 recriminación

Etymology

The word 'recriminate' originated in the mid-19th century, derived from the Latin 'recriminate', which means 'to accuse in return'. The prefix 're-' indicates repetition, and 'criminare' comes from 'crimen', meaning 'accusation' or 'crime'. Thus, the term essentially describes the act of making counter-accusations. Initially used in legal contexts, the term has evolved over time to encompass broader social interactions where blame-shifting occurs. Its usage has remained consistent in depicting scenarios of mutual accusations, particularly in personal relationships or political disputes.