as in accusation
the act of blaming someone for a problem instead of trying to fix or solve it
Engaging in finger-pointing will not help us solve the problem. There was no shortage of finger-pointing among executives after the movie bombed at the box office.
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Recent Examples of finger-pointing
The requirement has been a source of infighting and finger-pointing.
—
Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
Welles, who was nominated for four Grammys in 2025, is a gifted lyricist, and his finest verses use cascades of slant rhymes to move subtly from specific finger-pointing to broader implication.
—Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
The revelation ignited a new round of finger-pointing and accusations inside an already combative primary.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
But if Kraft gets announced next week as a Hall of Fame inductee, the howling and finger-pointing will take over the remaining hours in the run-up to his Patriots playing the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for finger-pointing
Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
Welles, who was nominated for four Grammys in 2025, is a gifted lyricist, and his finest verses use cascades of slant rhymes to move subtly from specific finger-pointing to broader implication.
—Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
The revelation ignited a new round of finger-pointing and accusations inside an already combative primary.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
But if Kraft gets announced next week as a Hall of Fame inductee, the howling and finger-pointing will take over the remaining hours in the run-up to his Patriots playing the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for finger-pointing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finger-pointing
Noun
-
Nacua’s attorney denies the accusations.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In the aftermath of the New York Times investigation that reported Huerta’s allegations, and accusations made by other women, leaders across California began removing Chavez’s name from local observances and making plans to rename buildings.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This dynamic, known in counseling circles as partner-blame, is well documented in Christian purity and addiction-recovery literature.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
When voters worry about their wallets, incumbents usually get the blame.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the days and weeks following the Hamas massacre of innocent Israelis on October 7, 2023, students and colleagues alike in his academic community posted fiery condemnations of and expressions of moral disgust toward … Israel.—
Jesse Brown,
The Atlantic,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Without it, moral disagreement can quickly descend into condemnation.—
Eranda Jayawickreme,
The Conversation,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Relieved of their blindfolds, the men now wore heavy rucksacks filled with colored rocks representing their anger (red), guilt and shame (black), and sadness (blue).—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Ashleigh Stovall described the guilt of having a good day, the confusion of feeling fine, then feeling terrible about giving herself permission to experience anything but sadness.—
Brit McCandless Farmer,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In April, the committee will recommend a punishment to be voted on by the full House, something that could range from a censure, removal from committees, or expulsion itself.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The Ethics Committee will now hold a meeting to discuss potential consequences, and the matter could come up for full House vote on her censure or expulsion.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Finger-pointing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finger-pointing. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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