finger-pointing

noun

fin·​ger-point·​ing ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌpȯin-tiŋ How to pronounce finger-pointing (audio)
: the act of making explicit and often unfair accusations of blame

Examples of finger-pointing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web What someone chooses not to say always simmers under the surface, contributing to resentment, finger-pointing and general discord. Kelly Hopping, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Jalen Hurts has regressed, the defense is struggling and there’s some finger-pointing in the locker room. Rob Maaddi, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2024 Leonsis has walked back his finger-pointing at crime as the reason. Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024 In the weeks to come there would be breathless news segments, finger-pointing, misinformation, and dashed hopes. Longreads, 1 Feb. 2024 The tinsel hits the fan as revelry gives way to finger-pointing while devout Episcopalians Bill (Dan Hiatt) and Ginny (Luisa Sermol) welcome home their four adult children, lost souls all. Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, 2 Feb. 2024 The aftermath featured finger-pointing among the state’s Democratic Party leaders and growing calls to strip the state of its first-place status in the primary schedule. Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2024 In Western capitals, this disappointment kicked off a round of finger-pointing, distress, and pessimism. Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2024 Those advisers paint a portrait of a disillusioned presidential candidacy, marked by finger-pointing, fatalism and grand plans designed in a Tallahassee hotel in early spring gone awry by winter. Nicholas Nehamas, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of finger-pointing was in 1914

Dictionary Entries Near finger-pointing

Cite this Entry

“Finger-pointing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finger-pointing. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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