accusation

noun

ac·cu·sa·tion | \ ˌa-kyə-ˈzā-shən,

-(ˌ)kyü-\

Definition of accusation

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

What the American people deserve, after all of the innuendo and accusations, are the facts of what these investigations have found. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "How About Some Russia Facts?," 14 Jan. 2019 Why, after two decades of rumors, stories, and accusations haven't there been more investigations, more arrests, more court cases? — Alexis Jones, Marie Claire, "R. Kelly Docuseries Reminds Us That Not All Stories of Sexual Assault Are Treated Equally," 11 Jan. 2019 In October, the hanging death of Dayne Jones, the son of a prominent Ferguson, Missouri, activist, fueled accusations that the young man was lynched, though local police have disputed that characterization of the crime. — P.r. Lockhart, Vox, "By passing the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act this week, the Senate acknowledged its role in decades of racial terrorism.," 21 Dec. 2018 There have already been multiple hearings with representatives from these companies this year where those accusations were discussed. — Kurt Wagner, Recode, "Republican lawmakers still think Google is biased against conservatives. Google still claims that it’s not.," 11 Dec. 2018 After weeks of shocking accusations, loud protests, and hardball politics, Judge Kavanaugh is now Justice Kavanaugh. — Fox News, "McConnell on marshalling the votes to confirm Kavanaugh," 7 Oct. 2018 The day-long hearing, which featured far more heated accusations than new information, was a naked display of the animus and agitation in Washington that surrounds the ongoing [Russia investigation]. — James Hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: GOP candidates caught in a bind on Medicaid," 13 July 2018 There were false accusations, removal of my responsibilities. — Jessica Press, Redbook, "Women Need to Know They Don't Have to Take Bullying in the Workplace," 19 Sep. 2018 The accusation, which appeared in the Sun tabloid, was quickly and loudly refuted. — Liz Cantrell, Town & Country, "How Queen Elizabeth Was Fooled by a Fake Purebreed Dog," 18 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'accusation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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accusations are flying

accusatival

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Last Updated

18 Jan 2019

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

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More Definitions for accusation

accusation

noun

English Language Learners Definition of accusation

: a claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal : a charge that someone has committed a fault or crime

See the full definition for accusation in the English Language Learners Dictionary

accusation

noun

ac·cu·sa·tion | \ ˌa-kyə-ˈzā-shən

Kids Definition of accusation

: a claim that someone has done something bad or illegal

accusation

noun

ac·cu·sa·tion | \ ˌa-kyə-ˈzā-shən

Legal Definition of accusation

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