adjective

accusatory

uh-KYOO-zuh-tor-ee/əˈkjuːzətɔːri/

Expressing blame or a charge of wrongdoing.

The woman points an accusatory finger while holding a piece of the broken vase.

Beside the shattered remains of a vase, a stern woman holds up a matching broken piece while pointing directly at another woman, who recoils with open palms.

Etymology

acLatinwith regard to

+cusLatincause; lawsuit

+atoryLatinrelating to

The lawsuit root leads through calling someone to account to the stance of a prosecutor or complainant. An accusatory tone adopts that stance by suggesting that someone has done wrong.

In context

Throughline Group0:42

rather than defending against the accusatory question I advise that people lean right into it push back hard against the insinuation buried within the question

MEDIA TRAINING: How to Answer an Accusatory Question

More examples

She resented the letter's accusatory tone.
The witness faced a series of accusatory remarks.
An accusatory glance passed between the two former partners.

Forms

accusatory · more accusatory · most accusatory

Similar words

critical: Expresses disapproval without necessarily alleging wrongdoing.
blaming: Directly assigns fault without the same formal register.