noun

accuser

uh-KYOO-zer/əˈkjuːzər/

A person who charges someone with wrongdoing or a crime.

The accuser presents an allegation before a neutral mediator.

Focus on the person making an allegation, standing before a seated neutral mediator and gesturing toward another adult, everyday clothing, blank folders.

Etymology

acLatinwith regard to

+cusLatincase, lawsuit

+erLatinperson who acts

The legal-case root and person-ending identify someone who calls another to account. The noun especially denoted someone making a formal accusation before a magistrate, but also covers anyone who assigns blame.

In context

ABC News0:03

Tyler Perry accuser Derek Dixon sits down in a TV interview for the first time sharing allegations of workplace sexual assault and harassment.

Tyler Perry accuser speaks out 1st on-camera interview since filing lawsuit

More examples

She demanded to hear the accuser’s account.
The investigation tested the accuser’s claims.
An anonymous accuser supplied the first report.

Forms

accuser · accusers

Similar words

complainant: A complainant formally reports a grievance; an accuser asserts that someone committed wrongdoing.
prosecutor: A prosecutor conducts a criminal case; an accuser may be any person making an allegation.