accusation
You did it
An accusation is a claim that someone has done something wrong or committed an offense.
It ranges from informal blame to formal criminal charges: The accusation of theft destroyed his reputation, She denied the accusations against her.
To level an accusation is to make one; to face accusations is to be accused.
Statement of ownership or truth
- assertionConfident statement of fact
- chargeCost or accusation
- complaintExpression of discontent
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
imputation · aspersion · denunciation · indictment · finger-pointing · plaintiff · whistleblower · informant
Formal charge from jury
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
- defendantParty facing charges
- arraignmentCharge-reading court session
- pleaFormal request or defense
verdict · trial · courtroom · evidence · testimony · witness · cross-examination · jury
Extended angry speech
- harangueAggressive lengthy scolding
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
- denunciationFormal public accusation
condemnation · castigation · upbraiding · tongue-lashing · dressing-down · scolding · berating · chastisement
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- smearSpread or defame
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- character assassinationDestroying someone's good name
mudslinging · calumny · fabrication · besmirchment · disparagement
Imperfection or blame
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
criticism · censure · scapegoating · guilt · accountability · wrongdoing · misdeed · offense
claim
Statement of ownership or truth
insinuation · imputation · aspersion · denunciation · indictment · finger-pointing · plaintiff · whistleblower · informant · rumor
indictment
Formal charge from jury
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
- defendantParty facing charges
- arraignmentCharge-reading court session
plea · verdict · trial · courtroom · evidence · testimony · witness · cross-examination · jury · judge
tirade
Extended angry speech
- harangueAggressive lengthy scolding
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
denunciation · condemnation · castigation · upbraiding · tongue-lashing · dressing-down · scolding · berating · chastisement · admonishment
slander
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- smearSpread or defame
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
character assassination · mudslinging · calumny · fabrication · besmirchment · disparagement
fault
Imperfection or blame
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- reproachExpression of disappointment
condemnation · criticism · censure · scapegoating · guilt · accountability · wrongdoing · misdeed · offense · transgression
- accusationsallegation, allege, blame, charge, claim
- Blameblame, fault, culprit, guilt-tripping, finger-pointing
- claimsinsurance claim, legal claim, false claim, counterclaim, disputed claim
- high dramamelodrama, soap opera, theatrics, histrionics, overwrought
- interrogationquestioning, interrogator, suspect, interview room, Miranda rights
- reproachesblaming, scolding, rebuking, reprimanding, censuring
accusationexoneration
Official clearing of blame
vindication · exculpation · absolution · acquittal · clearance
accusationpraise
Expression of approval
commendation · approval · endorsement · accolade · compliment
accusationdefense
Protection against harm
apology · justification · rebuttal · denial · counterargument
- false accusationsUntrue claims of wrongdoing
- wrongful accusationUnfounded claim of guilt
- formal accusationOfficial criminal charge filed
- criminal accusationFormal charge of crime
- mutual accusations
- witchcraft accusationsClaims someone practices magic