finger-pointing

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 The federal government officially began a partial shutdown with no last-minute drama or shortage of finger-pointing from Democrats and Republicans, each of whom was content to blame the other for the impasse. Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025 What drew particular ire in the budget decision, and gave way to partisan finger-pointing, was the decision not to fund the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program, leading to the shuttering of two of three housing facilities for homeless veterans in Chippewa Falls and Green Bay. Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 24 Sep. 2025 Within hours, my Facebook feed filled with speculation, finger-pointing and misinformation. Larry Magid, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025 Kirk’s assassination sparked a furious response and finger-pointing, with some on the right blaming the left and calling for retribution. Phil Helsel, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for finger-pointing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finger-pointing
Noun
  • During the tour for the band's previous album, We, singer Feist dropped out of the lineup as the opening act, citing the accusations against Butler as the reason for her departure.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Andrew has vehemently denied the accusations against him.
    Max Foster, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Stolarz shouldn’t shoulder all the blame for allowing four goals through two periods.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • On both sides of the ball, the Jets haven't been able to get enough done, but more of the blame falls on the offense.
    Jon Conahan, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The ruling prompted swift condemnation from Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who released a video promising stricter deportation laws.
    Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
  • By that time the show had provoked a wave of excited condemnation from commentators online who seemed most consistently offended by the bodysuit printed with the (hairy) image of a (totally) naked male body worn by a female model.
    Luke Leitch, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Concern was etched in her voice and guilt rang through me.
    Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Parents can enjoy guilt free screen time , which is actually educational.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In addition to initiating the censure process, the City Council called for a special meeting, with Barbadillo, Lam and Chua in favor.
    Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • In doing so, the palace must weigh distancing itself from Andrew with ensuring the blowback from any further censure does not do even more damage to an institution that requires public buy-in.
    Alexander Smith, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Finger-pointing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finger-pointing. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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