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

Gay resigned in January after facing the pressure from Ackman and other major donors, as well as drawing mounting criticism of her congressional testimony on campus antisemitism and accusations of academic plagiarism. —Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 22 Apr. 2024

Abolitionists worried slave owners could use accusations of theft or other offenses to extradite enslaved people. —Stacy Ryburn, arkansasonline.com, 22 Apr. 2024

Researchers faced accusations of conflicts of interest Corruption and questionable conduct rocked local governments across California L.A. Times investigations led to California regulators assembling a team to pursue labor exploitation in the state’s weed industry. —Christian Orozco, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024

The case, involving multiple swimmers who seven months later won medals at the 2021 Games, prompted accusations of a cover-up and concerns over why antidoping regulators chose not to intervene. —Tariq Panja, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024

The accusation has a malicious ulterior motive: advancing antisemitism. —Sahar Soleimany, National Review, 20 Apr. 2024

Israel denies the accusations and said the U.N., its partners and other aid agencies have created logistical challenges, resulting in a bottleneck. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2024

The accusations come following a decision by the Biden administration to release those charged with entering the country illegally rather than require them to remain along the border until their case is heard. —Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024

Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson did not answer questions about the case, but said in a statement that the justice system requires jurors to unanimously agree to the accusations beyond a reasonable doubt. —Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2024

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

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