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
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Recent Examples of finger-pointing
China and Japan—a treaty ally of the United States—engaged in finger-pointing after their military aircraft had close encounters while conducting operations over the Pacific Ocean.
—
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
The incident set off days of finger-pointing between the governor’s office and City Hall and stirred controversy and inflamed tensions between Pritzker and Johnson early in the new mayor’s tenure.
—Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
Meanwhile, back on Earth, their predicament involved intricate planning and ‒ when President Donald Trump and the world's richest man Elon Musk chimed in ‒ no small amount of finger-pointing.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 6 June 2025
But there was no finger-pointing from Nosek’s teammates or coaches after the game.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for finger-pointing
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
The incident set off days of finger-pointing between the governor’s office and City Hall and stirred controversy and inflamed tensions between Pritzker and Johnson early in the new mayor’s tenure.
—Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
Meanwhile, back on Earth, their predicament involved intricate planning and ‒ when President Donald Trump and the world's richest man Elon Musk chimed in ‒ no small amount of finger-pointing.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 6 June 2025
But there was no finger-pointing from Nosek’s teammates or coaches after the game.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for finger-pointing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finger-pointing
Noun
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Those efforts often cited efforts to combat accusations of anti-semitism on campus.—
June 27,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
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Both the Israeli strikes and the U.S. bombings of Iran’s nuclear facilities have attracted accusations of illegality.—
Jill Goldenziel,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
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The New York Yankees' infield has underperformed this season, and one of their former top prospects is not free of blame.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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Boeing received much of the blame for delivering the plane to Alaska Air without the four bolts needed to hold the door plug in place.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
24 June 2025
Noun
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But his condemnation of intervention in Iran was at odds with the Trump administration whose role in the conflict has splintered the MAGA coalition, a wing of which opposes American involvement in foreign wars.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested two women on Tuesday outside a West L.A. courthouse after a hearing in a local criminal case, marking the first instance in recent weeks of the Trump administration using a tactic that has drawn condemnation from the legal community.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2025
Noun
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There was overwhelming evidence of his guilt, including his DNA on the knife sheath, cell site evidence the night of the murders, video surveillance of his white Hyundai Elantra, and Amazon search and purchase history of the murder weapon.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
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Still unaware of the Front Man’s true identity, Gi-hun grapples with survivor’s guilt and begs to be killed.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Noun
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Libby's censure was initially passed on Feb. 25 by a vote of 75-70.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
25 June 2025
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Iran said other measures were also being planned in response to the U.N. agency's censure.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Finger-pointing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finger-pointing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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