accusation

noun

ac·​cu·​sa·​tion ˌa-kyə-ˈzā-shən 

-(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

Her earlier civil lawsuit, which was quickly settled, triggered a wave of similar accusations against Combs. —Elizabeth Rosner, People.com, 22 May 2025

Despite the gravity of the accusations, Green was released the same day after posting a $50,000 bond. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 21 May 2025

Alongside the expressions of grief, creators and commenters threw blame and accusations. —Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2025

The announcement cements the U.S. government’s intention to take the plane, despite experts’ warnings and Democrats’ accusations of bribery. —Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 21 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing accusation

• counter-accusation
• self-accusation

Rhymes for accusation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation
• adaptation

Kids Definition

accusation

noun

ac·​cu·​sa·​tion ˌak-yə-ˈzā-shən 

-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 

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 accusation

—U.S. Constitution amend. VI

compare allegation, indictment, information

2

: the offense or fault of which one is accused

the accusation was murder