noun
recrimination
rih-krim-ih-NAY-shun/rɪˌkrɪmɪˈneɪʃn/
An accusation made in response to another accusation.
Their argument turns into mutual recriminations as each blames the other.
Etymology
The pieces express an act of accusing back: rather than answering a charge with a defense, the accused returns a charge against the accuser.
More examples
- He answers her charge of laziness with a recrimination about her carelessness.
- The meeting dissolves into recriminations over who caused the delay.
- Instead of trading recriminations, we need to fix the problem.
Forms
recrimination · recriminations
recriminate verb — Answer an accusation with another accusation.
Similar words
- counteraccusation
- Directly names a return accusation, without suggesting ongoing bitter exchanges.
- countercharge
- Can suggest a more formal charge made in response.