finger-pointing
noun
fin·ger-point·ing
ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌpȯin-tiŋ 
: the act of making explicit and often unfair accusations of blame
Examples of finger-pointing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The handling of the crisis has led to finger-pointing among Democrats.
—
Joanna Slater, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2023
There’s plenty of finger-pointing and blame-shifting.
—Erika D. Smith, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2023
Brandon Bell - Getty Images Recently, finger-pointing between airlines and the Department of Transportation (DOT) has become fashionable.
—Steve Dickson, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2023
The circular finger-pointing if nothing else reveals some of the stress points and grievances within the Ohio Republican coalition.
—cleveland, 11 Aug. 2023
This evolves into a sense of co-accountability that eliminates finger-pointing and creates collective responsibility for the company’s success.
—Claudio Garcia, Quartz, 18 July 2023
The news about Edwards follows a weekend of speculation and finger-pointing, sparked by a story in U.K. tabloid The Sun on Friday in which the girl’s mother came forward with the accusations, claiming that the requests for photos had begun when her child — now 20 — was 17.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 July 2023
But there will be plenty of congratulatory calls (and, sure, some finger-pointing — this is Hollywood) when Emmy nominations are announced Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2023
Some intelligence officials blamed Capitol Police The report argues the intelligence officials who failed to fully share warnings have engaged in finger-pointing, blaming the Capitol Police for some of the consequences.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 27 June 2023
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Joanna Slater, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2023
There’s plenty of finger-pointing and blame-shifting.
—Erika D. Smith, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2023
Brandon Bell - Getty Images Recently, finger-pointing between airlines and the Department of Transportation (DOT) has become fashionable.
—Steve Dickson, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2023
The circular finger-pointing if nothing else reveals some of the stress points and grievances within the Ohio Republican coalition.
—cleveland, 11 Aug. 2023
This evolves into a sense of co-accountability that eliminates finger-pointing and creates collective responsibility for the company’s success.
—Claudio Garcia, Quartz, 18 July 2023
The news about Edwards follows a weekend of speculation and finger-pointing, sparked by a story in U.K. tabloid The Sun on Friday in which the girl’s mother came forward with the accusations, claiming that the requests for photos had begun when her child — now 20 — was 17.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 July 2023
But there will be plenty of congratulatory calls (and, sure, some finger-pointing — this is Hollywood) when Emmy nominations are announced Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2023
Some intelligence officials blamed Capitol Police The report argues the intelligence officials who failed to fully share warnings have engaged in finger-pointing, blaming the Capitol Police for some of the consequences.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 27 June 2023
See More
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
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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 27 Sep. 2023.
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