recrimination

noun

re·​crim·​i·​na·​tion ri-ˌkri-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce recrimination (audio)
: a retaliatory accusation
also : the making of such accusations
endless recrimination
recriminate intransitive verb
recriminative adjective
recriminatory adjective

Examples of recrimination in a Sentence

The discussion turned into a heated debate with recriminations flying back and forth. The meeting ended with bitterness and recrimination.
Recent Examples on the Web Social media had become a sea of outrage and recriminations. Peter Vanham, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2023 There will be no end to it anytime soon: the funerals, the recriminations, the threats, the fear, the assaults. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2023 But beyond the recriminations, a more complex story is unfolding in Punjab, analysts, political leaders and residents say. Hari Kumar, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2023 The August defeat spurred internal finger-pointing and recrimination within conservative camps; GOP leaders were accused of shying away from publicly supporting the controversial measure that drained money and support from the November ballot race. Annie Gowen, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2023 The literary fair began under a cloud of anger and recrimination after an event honoring a Palestinian novelist was canceled in response to the attacks on Israel. Adam Sella, New York Times, 21 Oct. 2023 In the end, House Democratic opposition prompted Shapiro to agree to veto the $100 million program from wider budget legislation — drawing angry recriminations from Republicans and school choice allies. Marc Levy, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2023 Following in their wake was a summer of recriminations and uncertainty for a space that had once sought to unify. Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2023 Moscow and Yerevan have engaged in mutual recriminations since last week’s military action, with Russian officials claiming that Pashinyan was to blame after conceding earlier this year that Nagorno-Karabakh was part of Azerbaijan. Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recrimination.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin recrimination-, recriminatio, from recriminare to make a retaliatory charge, from Latin re- + criminari to accuse — more at criminate

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of recrimination was circa 1611

Dictionary Entries Near recrimination

Cite this Entry

“Recrimination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recrimination. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.

More from Merriam-Webster on recrimination

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!