as in allegation
a claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal; a charge that someone has committed a fault or crime
Investigators have leveled accusations of corruption against a group of former officials. The police are investigating serious accusations of wrongdoing.
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Recent Examples of accusation
Gailhaguet denied the accusation, defending himself on the grounds that there wasn’t a French couple that could benefit from him fixing the scores.
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Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Cooper, 51, is out to defend the sanctity of football, upset over accusations that his beloved Philadelphia Eagles won the 2025 Super Bowl only to sell wings.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
The suit claims Dupont suffered anxiety, emotional stress and exhaustion, and that her professional reputation was damaged by false accusations.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
The Iranian government—one of the most repressive regimes in the world—has long relied on accusations of collaboration with hostile foreign powers, usually the United States or Israel, to silence journalists, activists, and dissidents.
—Omid Memarian, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accusation
Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Cooper, 51, is out to defend the sanctity of football, upset over accusations that his beloved Philadelphia Eagles won the 2025 Super Bowl only to sell wings.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
The suit claims Dupont suffered anxiety, emotional stress and exhaustion, and that her professional reputation was damaged by false accusations.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
The Iranian government—one of the most repressive regimes in the world—has long relied on accusations of collaboration with hostile foreign powers, usually the United States or Israel, to silence journalists, activists, and dissidents.
—Omid Memarian, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accusation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accusation
Noun
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Crawford said the lying in wait allegations could not be proved because his client was just standing by a gate when the attack happened.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
25 Jan. 2026
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Agents have been accused of arresting citizens without probable cause, pointing weapons at people, tear-gassing neighborhoods, among other allegations of violent behavior.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Ghanem’s case has prompted some condemnation online from pro-Israel commentators.—
Sana Noor Haq,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
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The brand absorbed real risk—consumer backlash, political condemnation, financial uncertainty—by aligning itself with a figure whose resistance was ongoing and materially consequential.—
Debbie Millman,
Time,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accusation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accusation. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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