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

Party infighting and frustrating recriminations around Democrats’ 2024 losses had made 2025 a slog. —Dan Merica, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2026

Lane uses his loud, outside voice to excellent effect, his shouts of exasperation and anger giving way to instant regret and recrimination. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026

But triggering that option has always carried the promise of recrimination from Democratic leaders, who hold power over the scheduling of Republican bills. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026

The election has been preceded by several contentious events, including the trading of recriminations over the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. —Shabnam Dohutia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Mar. 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