accuse

verb

ac·cuse | \ ə-ˈkyüz

accused; accusing

Definition of accuse

transitive verb

1 : to charge with a fault or offense : blame He accused her of being disloyal.

2 : to charge with an offense judicially or by a public process He was accused of murder.

intransitive verb

: to bring an accusation

Other Words from accuse Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about accuse

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Examples of accuse in a Sentence

she was accused of lying on the employment application

Recent Examples on the Web

Daniels was also accused of fondling the third officer’s buttocks and breasts. — Marilyn Icsman, Cincinnati.com, "Stormy Daniels: Her crazy 48 hours in Ohio," 13 July 2018 Two of the defendants were also accused of hacking computers of those responsible for administering elections, including secretaries of state. — Aruna Viswanatha, WSJ, "Mueller Probe Indicts 12 Russians in Hacking of DNC and Clinton Campaign," 13 July 2018 Ash Sarkar, a leftist journalist and campaigner for the Stop Trump Coalition — which is protesting the President’s upcoming U.K. visit — was accused of not caring about Barack Obama’s history of widespread deportations. — Gabriella Paiella, The Cut, "I Can’t Stop Watching This Woman Yell ‘I’m a Communist, You Idiot’ at Piers Morgan," 12 July 2018 Quiros and Stenger were accused of misusing $200 million raised from foreign investors through the EB-5 visa program, which helps foreigners obtain permanent residency by investing in job-creating developments. — BostonGlobe.com, "Two friends who worked at different pharmaceutical companies convicted of insider trading," 12 July 2018 McCray was accused in an NCAA investigation of securing and paying for a discounted hotel room for a Louisville player's father. — Danielle Lerner, The Courier-Journal, "Three reasons Louisville players are unlikely to win lawsuit vs. NCAA," 11 July 2018 McCoy was accused of brutally attacking Cordon on Tuesday before it was revealed a third party was involved. — Nihal Kolur, SI.com, "Attorney: Man Who Attacked LeSean McCoy's Ex-Girlfriend Demanded Jewelry," 11 July 2018 Jay Peak owner Ariel Quiros and former Jay president William Stenger were accused in 2016 of misusing more than $200 million raised from foreign investors through the EB-5 visa program for developments at or near the resort. — Lisa Rathke, The Seattle Times, "Feds order shutdown of Vermont immigrant investor center," 10 July 2018 In a 2004 lawsuit, O’Connell was accused of abusing children while assigned to a suburban parish. — Nathaniel Lash, Philly.com, "Filings disclose new details on grand jury clergy abuse probe," 10 July 2018

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

History and Etymology for accuse

Middle English acusen, accusen, borrowed from Anglo-French accuser, acuser, borrowed from Latin accūsāre "to blame, censure, charge with a crime," from ad- ad- + -cūsāre, verbal derivative of causa "legal case, reason, cause" — more at cause entry 1

Latin accusare to find fault with, charge with a crime, from ad to, at + causa legal case, trial

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