Definition

1. Noun:
   • A statement saying that someone has done something wrong or illegal: An "accusation" is the act of claiming that a person is responsible for a fault, error, or crime.
   • A formal charge of wrongdoing: In a legal context, an "accusation" is an official statement that someone has committed an offense, which may lead to a trial.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • He denied the accusation of theft. (He stated that the claim he stole something was false.)
  • The politician faced a serious accusation of corruption. (The politician was formally charged with corrupt behavior.)
  • She made an accusation that her colleague had lied. (She asserted that her coworker was not telling the truth.)

Advanced Usage

• "To be under an accusation": To be formally charged with or suspected of a wrongdoing.
  • The official was under an accusation of fraud for several months.
• "To bring/lay an accusation against someone": To formally charge or blame someone.
  • The prosecutor brought an accusation against the company.
• "A false/groundless accusation": A claim of wrongdoing that is not true or not supported by evidence.
  • He sued the newspaper for publishing a false accusation.

Variants and Related Words

• Accuse (verb): To say that someone has done something wrong.
  • They accused him of cheating.
• Accusatory (adjective): Suggesting that you think someone has done something wrong.
  • She gave him an accusatory look.
• Accused (noun): The person who is charged with a crime in a court of law.
  • The accused pleaded not guilty.

Synonyms

• Allegation: A claim that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically without proof.
• Charge: A formal accusation of a crime.
• Indictment: A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime.

Related Phrases

• "Point the finger of accusation": To directly blame someone.
  • During the crisis, everyone pointed the finger of accusation at the manager.
• "A chorus of accusations": Many people making similar claims of wrongdoing at the same time.
  • The scandal was followed by a chorus of accusations from the public.

Noun

1. an assertion that someone is guilty of a fault or offence
   • the newspaper published charges that Jones was guilty of drunken driving
2. a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt