recrimination

noun

re·​crim·​i·​na·​tion ri-ˌkri-mə-ˈnā-shən 

: a retaliatory accusation

also : the making of such accusations

endless recrimination

recriminate

ri-ˈkri-mə-ˌnāt 

intransitive verb

recriminative

ri-ˈkri-mə-ˌnā-tiv 

adjective

recriminatory

ri-ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌtȯr-ē 

ri-ˈkrim-nə-

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

Shared culpability The Platner campaign represented an electoral insurgency against the Democratic Party; now, there are going to be furious recriminations against those who launched it. — Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

But the grievances and recriminations aren’t limited to last winter or the beginning of Buster Posey’s tenure as president of baseball operations. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 7 July 2026

One squad will be remembered and the rest will go home, and the machinery of ranking and recrimination will resume on schedule. — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Finger pointing, recriminations, and embarrassment ensue. — Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 24 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing recrimination

• self-recrimination

Rhymes for recrimination

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration