accusation

noun

ac·​cu·​sa·​tion ˌa-kyə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce accusation (audio)
-(ˌ)kyü-
1
: a charge of wrongdoing
The evidence confirms the accusations made against him.
She denied the accusation.
2
: the act of accusing someone : the state or fact of being accused

Examples of accusation in a Sentence

Investigators have made accusations of corruption against a group of former officials. The police are investigating serious accusations of wrongdoing. He denied the accusation that he had lied to the police. There was a hint of accusation in his voice when he asked her where she had been.
Recent Examples on the Web That early accusation may have haunted the young composer for the rest of his career. Stephen Cox, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 The accusations are in the Florida Department of Health’s administrative complaint against Sampson, filed Nov. 1. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 The accusations against Hernández Cordón first surfaced publicly in May 2022. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 3 Mar. 2024 Such accusations about America’s supposed abusive treatment of Nazis became a right-wing trope. Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2024 Questioning the accusation, of course, is futile, as the claim is not rooted in logic. Rory Smith, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has battled accusations of fraud and murder in the country. Zenger News, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The hate speech from the multiple Zoom attendees included accusations of pedophilia and child molestation, anti-Jewish conspiracies, and Holocaust denialism. Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2024 Navalny, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most formidable opponent, died aged 47 in an Arctic prison on February 16, sparking condemnation from world leaders and accusations from his aides that he had been murdered. Matthew Chance, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accusation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English accusacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin accūsātiōn-, accūsātiō, from accūsāre "to blame, charge with a crime" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at accuse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of accusation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near accusation

Cite this Entry

“Accusation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accusation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

accusation

noun
ac·​cu·​sa·​tion ˌak-yə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce accusation (audio)
-yü-
1
: the act of accusing : the fact of being accused
2
: a charge of wrongdoing

Legal Definition

accusation

noun
ac·​cu·​sa·​tion ˌa-kyə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce accusation (audio)
1
: a formal charge of wrongdoing, delinquency, or fault
the accused shall enjoy the right…to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusationU.S. Constitution amend. VI
compare allegation, indictment, information
2
: the offense or fault of which one is accused
the accusation was murder
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