finger-pointing

noun

Definition of finger-pointingnext
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of finger-pointing Thomas, a longtime Team USA Ryder Cup member, and Bradley, last year's United States captain, were on the fourth hole when they were approached by an official in a cart, and the conversation quickly turned into finger-pointing. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026 Right now, there’s too much finger-pointing and not enough ownership. — Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 4 May 2026 There has been plenty of teeth gnashing and finger-pointing in those big-city baseball markets. — Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 2 May 2026 The space is crowded with pending and settled lawsuits, intercorporate finger-pointing, and complex domestic and international legal concerns. — ArsTechnica, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for finger-pointing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finger-pointing
  1. accusation
  2. blame
  3. condemnation
  4. guilt
  5. censure
Noun
  • The theme of the Platner campaign became don’t believe these women until Monday, when a detailed and credible accusation of rape confounded the excuse makers beyond their considerable power to slime women who had stories to tell about Platner.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026
  • The accusations likely stem from a 2022 appearance with the Texas Humane Legislation Network when Talarico suggested Americans reduce their meat consumption for climate reasons.
    — David Rooney, The Conversation, 10 July 2026
Definition of accusation
Noun
  • Instead, when concerns arise, blame is routinely shifted, and responsibility becomes one-sided.
    — Mark Travers, CNBC, 5 July 2026
  • Spence also appears to be absorbing the blame for broader failures, with Thomas Tuchel’s touchline frustrations obvious and — for a player still establishing himself at this level — that scrutiny is unlikely to help.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of blame
Noun
  • The government’s unprecedented move this week sparked condemnations across the political and legal spectrum, sounding the alarm that Israel was becoming a country whose executive no longer felt bound by the rule of law.
    — Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 10 July 2026
  • With no end in sight to the fighting after one year of bloodshed, the IOC reiterates its condemnation of the war in Ukraine, which is a blatant violation of the Olympic Truce that was in effect at the time, and the Olympic Charter.
    — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026
Definition of condemnation
Noun
  • The instinct in every one of these cases is to freak out, to fire off denials and go quiet, and that instinct is almost always the wrong one, since silence reads as guilt and panic reads as relevance.
    — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Burkhart chose not to testify in the guilt-innocence trial phase or at the punishment hearing.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
Definition of guilt
Noun
  • After the censure on Monday, Hulsey again tried to exclude the city administrator from council business when the governing body went into executive session.
    — Rachel Royster July 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026
  • The escalation should start with a warning from the chair, followed by a motion of the board of censure (asking the owner to quiet down), followed by a motion to eject the offending owner from the meeting.
    — Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026
Definition of censure

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finger paintings
finger-pointing
fingerprint
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Cite this Entry

“Finger-pointing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finger-pointing. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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