accusation

noun

ac·​cu·​sa·​tion ˌa-kyə-ˈzā-shən 

-(ˌ)kyü-

1

: a charge of wrongdoing

The evidence confirms the accusations made against him.

She denied the accusation.

2

: the act of accusing someone : the state or fact of being accused

Examples of accusation in a Sentence

Investigators have made accusations of corruption against a group of former officials.

The police are investigating serious accusations of wrongdoing.

He denied the accusation that he had lied to the police.

There was a hint of accusation in his voice when he asked her where she had been.

Recent Examples on the Web

Making vague accusations about fentanyl and promising tariffs on everything from avocados to computers to oil to timber is another. —The Editors, National Review, 27 Nov. 2024

In fighting against the accusation, Combs’ team made the first reference to a third potential victim in the government’s case. —Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 27 Nov. 2024

Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock had nine departments reassigned from her, and Rich Boyer was stripped of his oversight of the union’s Stellantis Department, leading to accusations against Fain of retaliation and other claims. —Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 27 Nov. 2024

While the allegations from the five individuals focus on Phillips, the complaint details accusations against two other WWE executives who are also now deceased. —Sam Janesch, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English accusacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin accūsātiōn-, accūsātiō, from accūsāre "to blame, charge with a crime" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at accuse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing accusation

• counter-accusation
• self-accusation

Kids Definition

accusation

noun

ac·​cu·​sa·​tion ˌak-yə-ˈzā-shən 

-yü-

1

: the act of accusing : the fact of being accused

2

: a charge of wrongdoing

Legal Definition

accusation

noun

ac·​cu·​sa·​tion ˌa-kyə-ˈzā-shən 

1

: a formal charge of wrongdoing, delinquency, or fault

the accused shall enjoy the right…to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation

—U.S. Constitution amend. VI

compare allegation, indictment, information

2

: the offense or fault of which one is accused

the accusation was murder