recriminative
/ri'kriminətiv/ Cách viết khác : (recriminatory) /ri'kriminətəri/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Involving or characterized by recrimination; countering an accusation with a counter-accusation. Describes arguments, statements, or behavior where one person responds to a charge by making a similar charge in return.
Usage
- The adjective recriminative is used to describe speech, exchanges, or atmospheres where mutual blame is exchanged. It is a formal term, often found in discussions of conflicts, arguments, or legal disputes.
- It typically modifies nouns like , , , , or .
Examples
- The debate quickly descended into a recriminative shouting match, with each side blaming the other for the failure.
- After the project collapsed, the meeting was filled with recriminative remarks from all departments.
- Their divorce proceedings were marked by a bitterly recriminative tone.
Advanced Usage
- In a recriminative manner (adverbial phrase): Acting in a way that involves exchanging accusations.
- The two leaders spoke recriminatively, each listing the other's past failures.
Variants and Related Words
- Recriminate (verb): To return an accusation against someone.
- He did not apologize but chose to recriminate instead.
- Recrimination (noun): The act of recriminating; a counter-accusation.
- The political scandal was followed by a cycle of bitter recrimination.
- Recriminatory (adjective): A direct synonym for .
- The recriminatory letters between the former partners were entered as evidence.
Synonyms
- Accusatory: Suggesting blame or fault.
- Retaliatory: Involving a response to an attack or accusation.
- Countercharging: Making a counter-accusation.
Antonyms
- Conciliatory: Intended to placate or reconcile.
- Apologetic: Expressing regret or admitting fault.
- Forgiving: Willing to pardon an offense.
Related Phrases/Idioms
- A war of words: A fierce exchange of critical or accusatory statements. This phrase often describes a recriminative exchange.
- The negotiation broke down into a war of words.
- To trade accusations/blame: To exchange accusations, similar to being recriminative.
- The managers spent the hour trading accusations instead of finding a solution.
Adjective
- countering one charge with another
- recriminatory arguments