Library / English Dictionary

ACCUSE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Bring an accusation against; level a charge against

Example:

The neighbors accused the man of spousal abuse

Synonyms:

accuse; criminate; impeach; incriminate

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "accuse" is one way to...):

accuse; charge (blame for, make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "accuse"):

reproach; upbraid (express criticism towards)

arraign (accuse of a wrong or an inadequacy)

recriminate (return an accusation against someone or engage in mutual accusations; charge in return)

charge; file; lodge (file a formal charge against)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody of something

Derivation:

accusal; accusation (a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt)

accusative; accusatory (containing or expressing accusation)

accuser (someone who imputes guilt or blame)

accusive (containing or expressing accusation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Blame for, make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against

Example:

he charged the director with indifference

Synonyms:

accuse; charge

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "accuse"):

blame; fault (put or pin the blame on)

accuse; criminate; impeach; incriminate (bring an accusation against; level a charge against)

asperse; besmirch; calumniate; defame; denigrate; slander; smear; smirch; sully (charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone)

indict (accuse formally of a crime)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

They want to accuse the prisoners

Derivation:

accusal (a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt)

accusation (an assertion that someone is guilty of a fault or offence)

accusative; accusatory (containing or expressing accusation)

accuser (someone who imputes guilt or blame)

accusive (containing or expressing accusation)

Credits

 Context examples: 

It was the occasion when he was accused of slaying his younger brother and fled from the country.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“That's for number one,” cried the accused, wiping the sweat from his brow, for he had been talking with a vehemence that shook the house.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

This unassuming style promotes study, that's why we adopt it, returned Laurie, who certainly could not be accused of vanity, having voluntarily sacrificed a handsome curly crop to the demand for quarter-inch-long stubble.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Why was I always suffering, always browbeaten, always accused, for ever condemned?

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Concealing it from us! my dear child, do you accuse Willoughby and Marianne of concealment?

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

He has been accused of many faults at different times, but this is the true one.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Mrs Musgrove had not a word to say in dissent; she could not accuse herself of having ever called them anything in the whole course of her life.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

“Jane Fairfax has feeling,” said Mr. Knightley—“I do not accuse her of want of feeling.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

The only offence against him of which she could accuse herself had been such as was scarcely possible to reach his knowledge.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Fanny found herself obliged to yield, that she might not be accused of pride or indifference, or some other littleness; and having with modest reluctance given her consent, proceeded to make the selection.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)