accused
Pointed finger at
Accused functions as both verb and noun.
As the past tense of accuse, it means to have charged someone with wrongdoing: She accused him of lying.
As a noun, the accused refers to a person or people facing criminal charges: The accused stood before the judge.
In legal contexts, the accused is the defendant until proven guilty.
Believe to be likely
- perpetratorOne who commits wrongdoing
- culpritPerson found guilty
- apprehendedCaptured or comprehended
- arrestedSeized by authorities
detained · detainee · interrogated · questioned · fingerprinted · mugshot · wanted · charged
Party facing charges
- arraignmentCharge-reading court session
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
- pleaFormal request or defense
- counselExpert guidance offered
defense · prosecution · barrister · solicitor · advocate · representation · courtroom · dock
Judicial examination of claims
- verdictOfficial court decision
- juryLegal decision-making body
- judgeOne who decides
- witnessOne who attests
testimony · cross-examination · evidence · prosecution · defense · objection · summons · subpoena
Held at fault
- culpableDeserving of blame
- responsibleObligated to answer for actions
- faultImperfection or blame
- scapegoatUnfairly blamed person
reproach · condemnation · censure · stigma · disgrace · shame · discredit · recrimination
Cost or accusation
- allegationAssertion lacking proof
- claimStatement of ownership or truth
- complaintExpression of discontent
- assertionConfident statement of fact
insinuation · implication · incrimination · finger-pointing · denunciation · aspersion · slander · libel
Free from moral wrong
- exoneratedCleared of wrongdoing
- vindicatedCleared of accusation
- clearedFound not guilty
- absolvedFreed from guilt
suspect
Believe to be likely
- perpetratorOne who commits wrongdoing
- culpritPerson found guilty
- apprehendedCaptured or comprehended
arrested · detained · detainee · interrogated · questioned · fingerprinted · mugshot · wanted · charged · indicted
defendant
Party facing charges
- arraignmentCharge-reading court session
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
- pleaFormal request or defense
counsel · defense · prosecution · barrister · solicitor · advocate · representation · courtroom · dock · tribunal
trial
Judicial examination of claims
witness · testimony · cross-examination · evidence · prosecution · defense · objection · summons · subpoena · gavel
blamed
Held at fault
- culpableDeserving of blame
- responsibleObligated to answer for actions
- faultImperfection or blame
scapegoat · reproach · condemnation · censure · stigma · disgrace · shame · discredit · recrimination · answerable
charge
Cost or accusation
- allegationAssertion lacking proof
- claimStatement of ownership or truth
- complaintExpression of discontent
assertion · insinuation · implication · incrimination · finger-pointing · denunciation · aspersion · slander · libel · defamation
innocent
Free from moral wrong
- exoneratedCleared of wrongdoing
- vindicatedCleared of accusation
- clearedFound not guilty
- Criminal Procedurearraignment, arrest, grand jury, investigation, guilty plea
- criminal trialstrials, verdicts, convictions, charges, acquittals
- defendantsdefendant, criminal defendant, co-defendant, respondent
- Salem witchcraftSalem witch trials, Salem, witch trials, spectral evidence, Tituba
- litigantslitigant, plaintiff, defendant, respondent, petitioner
- Scots Lawpursuer, defender, advocates, advocate, solicitors
accusedacquitted
Declared legally innocent
exonerated · cleared · absolved · vindicated · discharged
accusedvictim
One harmed by another
accuser · complainant · plaintiff · injured party · prosecutor
- false accusationsUntrue claims of wrongdoing
- The AccusedPerson formally charged
- accused witches
- wrongful accusationUnfounded claim of guilt
- formal accusationOfficial criminal charge filed
- criminal accusationFormal charge of crime
accuse, accusation, accuser, accusing, accuses, accusations, accusatory, accusers, accusable