recrimination

/ri,krimi'neiʃn/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
recrimination

The two friends fell into a cycle of bitter recrimination.

Definition

Noun: 1. An accusation made in return for another accusation; a countercharge: The act of accusing someone who has already accused you, often in the same dispute or argument. 2. Mutual or repeated accusations: A situation where two or more parties continuously blame or accuse each other.

Usage

The word "recrimination" describes a specific, often hostile, dynamic in a conflict. It is used when an argument or dispute devolves into a cycle of blame, where each person responds to an accusation by making their own accusation instead of addressing the original issue. It implies a breakdown of constructive communication.

Examples
  • The political debate quickly descended into bitter recrimination.
  • After the project failed, the team meeting was filled with recrimination rather than solutions.
  • Their marital problems were characterized by constant recrimination and blame.
Advanced Usage
  • "A bitter exchange of recriminations": A common phrase describing a heated argument consisting entirely of mutual blame.
    • The negotiations broke down into a bitter exchange of recriminations.
  • "Endless/cycle of recrimination": Describes a situation where accusations go back and forth without resolution.
    • The two nations were trapped in an endless cycle of recrimination.
Variants and Related Words
  • Recriminate (verb): To make an accusation in return.
    • He did not apologize but chose to recriminate instead.
  • Recriminatory (adjective): Having the nature of a recrimination.
    • The discussion took a recriminatory tone.
Synonyms
  • Countercharge
  • Counteraccusation
  • Blame
  • Retort (in the context of an accusing reply)
Antonyms
  • Reconciliation
  • Acquittal
  • Absolution
  • Praise
Idioms and Common Phrases
  • "To engage in recrimination(s)": To participate in mutual blaming.
    • It is pointless to engage in recrimination; we need to find a way forward.
  • "A war of recrimination": An intense, ongoing conflict dominated by mutual accusations.
    • The divorce turned into a war of recrimination.
recrimination

The two friends fell into a cycle of bitter recrimination.

Noun
  1. mutual accusations