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
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
Speaker Mike Johnson tried to lead a moment of silence for Kirk, but what began as solemn reflection quickly dissolved into shouting and finger-pointing across the aisle.
—Nik Popli, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
These behaviors become the organizational norm when senior leaders engage in finger-pointing, avoid difficult conversations, or fail to follow through on commitments.
—Tracy Lawrence, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
What unfolds is a finger-pointing game of Who’s Behaved Worse?
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finger-pointing
Phil Helsel, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2025
Speaker Mike Johnson tried to lead a moment of silence for Kirk, but what began as solemn reflection quickly dissolved into shouting and finger-pointing across the aisle.
—Nik Popli, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
These behaviors become the organizational norm when senior leaders engage in finger-pointing, avoid difficult conversations, or fail to follow through on commitments.
—Tracy Lawrence, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
What unfolds is a finger-pointing game of Who’s Behaved Worse?
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finger-pointing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finger-pointing
Noun
-
Fans continue to point out that on algorithmic platforms such as TikTok, stories about straight white people falling in love are promoted above all others, and the community is also rife with plagiarism accusations.—
Rebecca Ackermann,
The Atlantic,
5 Oct. 2025
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An arrest is merely an accusation, and Sanchez should be considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
On multiple occasions, Johnson has pointed the blame at those who flee police and credited officers with showing restraint in pursuits.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Democrats and Republicans in Congress have been playing the blame game this week, accusing the other of not being willing to negotiate.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Astin’s remarks come after a formal condemnation of Norwood from SAG-AFTRA, as well as outcry from dozens of actors, including Emily Blunt, Melissa Barrera, Lukas Gage and more.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid’s latest tour de force is an absurdist, boldly surprising condemnation of his homeland.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The series’ first season, chronicling the crimes of Milwaukee serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, prompted a conversation about the exploitation of Black and disabled people’s stories for entertainment, while the season following the Menendez Brothers led to a real-world reconsidering of their guilt.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
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As anger fades into apathy and grief is aggravated by guilt, the public also chooses silence.—
Yangyang Cheng,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Mike Hallquist to make a motion for Seals's censure, which failed and was followed by cheering support by Seals' supporters.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The House voted to table the resolution 214-213, preventing it from moving to debate and a vote on the underlying censure, effectively ending Mace’s effort to formally reprimand Omar and remove her from committees.—
Emily Brooks,
The Hill,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Finger-pointing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finger-pointing. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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